Bristol City

Martin Bain, the chief executive, was subjected to verbal abuse by angry supporters as Sunderland’s wretched campaign hit an almost implausible new low. Bain was berated by a fan sat within yards of the Scot’s seat high in the Stadium of Light directors’ box, the frustrated individual swiftly joined by others in expressing their disgust in a sustained protest at this latest no-show by Chris Coleman’s side, who seem to end up veering headlong down a cul-de-sac every time they appear ready to turn a corner. Unsurprisingly, the hosts were jeered off by the few home followers who bothered to remain until the bitter end, the players left in little doubt as to their status at being wholly unfit to wear the once proud, red-and-white shirts that look increasingly likely to be scuffling around League One next season. Bain remains the public face of the Sunderland hierarchy, given the infrequent visits of the club’s increasingly detached owner Ellis Short. “Martin’s left holding the baby if you like,” Coleman admitted. “He’s a big boy, he knows how it goes and he will be OK.” The same can’t be said of the team after this latest supine surrender. Unlike last week, when Sunderland improbably came back from three goals down to earn a point at Ashton Gate, there was no miracle escape, no “Bristanbul” repeat. Brentford’s first visit to this venue proved a profitable one given they emerged with arguably the most comfortable victory they will enjoy all season to maintain their position on the coat-tails of the play-off contenders, five points adrift of the top six. “It was more grief, more frustration, and more suffering,” Coleman added. “I need to take a long, hard look at things because maybe it’s too much for one or two of the players.” George Honeyman should have reduced the deficit on the stoke of half-time but the unmarked midfielder’s shot grazed the bar from a dozen yards, while immediately after the re-start Aiden McGeady wasted an equally clear chance when side-footing wide from Joel Asoro’s centre. Chris Coleman has won just 20% of games since taking over Credit: Getty Images “We were nervous, there was panic and a lack of cohesion,” added Coleman, arguably listing Sunderland’s good points. He added: “There’s an acceptance of negativity and defeat, and I find that tough to take.” Two goals in 15 minutes midway through the first-half sufficed, Kamo Mokotjo reacting first to Neal Maupay’s inviting lay-off to find the bottom corner from 20 yards for the South African’s first goal since the midfielder’s arrival from FC Twente in the summer. Maupay then claimed his eighth goal of the season, and only his second since the start of November, with a confident back-heel finish from Ollie Watkins’ cutback as Sunderland were carved open almost at will. Dean Smith had the distinction of becoming the first Brentford manager to guide his side to a clean sheet against the Wearside club for 81 years. He backed his counterpart to turn things round, but on this evidence it’s a view with which it’s hard to concur. He said: “We were straight out of the blocks, and the only issue from me at half-time was that the scoreline wasn’t as comfortable as I would have liked.”

Martin Bain, the chief executive, was subjected to verbal abuse by angry supporters as Sunderland’s wretched campaign hit an almost implausible new low. Bain was berated by a fan sat within yards of the Scot’s seat high in the Stadium of Light directors’ box, the frustrated individual swiftly joined by others in expressing their disgust in a sustained protest at this latest no-show by Chris Coleman’s side, who seem to end up veering headlong down a cul-de-sac every time they appear ready to turn a corner. Unsurprisingly, the hosts were jeered off by the few home followers who bothered to remain until the bitter end, the players left in little doubt as to their status at being wholly unfit to wear the once proud, red-and-white shirts that look increasingly likely to be scuffling around League One next season. Bain remains the public face of the Sunderland hierarchy, given the infrequent visits of the club’s increasingly detached owner Ellis Short. “Martin’s left holding the baby if you like,” Coleman admitted. “He’s a big boy, he knows how it goes and he will be OK.” The same can’t be said of the team after this latest supine surrender. Unlike last week, when Sunderland improbably came back from three goals down to earn a point at Ashton Gate, there was no miracle escape, no “Bristanbul” repeat. Brentford’s first visit to this venue proved a profitable one given they emerged with arguably the most comfortable victory they will enjoy all season to maintain their position on the coat-tails of the play-off contenders, five points adrift of the top six. “It was more grief, more frustration, and more suffering,” Coleman added. “I need to take a long, hard look at things because maybe it’s too much for one or two of the players.” George Honeyman should have reduced the deficit on the stoke of half-time but the unmarked midfielder’s shot grazed the bar from a dozen yards, while immediately after the re-start Aiden McGeady wasted an equally clear chance when side-footing wide from Joel Asoro’s centre. Chris Coleman has won just 20% of games since taking over Credit: Getty Images “We were nervous, there was panic and a lack of cohesion,” added Coleman, arguably listing Sunderland’s good points. He added: “There’s an acceptance of negativity and defeat, and I find that tough to take.” Two goals in 15 minutes midway through the first-half sufficed, Kamo Mokotjo reacting first to Neal Maupay’s inviting lay-off to find the bottom corner from 20 yards for the South African’s first goal since the midfielder’s arrival from FC Twente in the summer. Maupay then claimed his eighth goal of the season, and only his second since the start of November, with a confident back-heel finish from Ollie Watkins’ cutback as Sunderland were carved open almost at will. Dean Smith had the distinction of becoming the first Brentford manager to guide his side to a clean sheet against the Wearside club for 81 years. He backed his counterpart to turn things round, but on this evidence it’s a view with which it’s hard to concur. He said: “We were straight out of the blocks, and the only issue from me at half-time was that the scoreline wasn’t as comfortable as I would have liked.”

Jumping the Gun: Sunderland Sheepishly Delete Tweet After Shock Comeback Against Bristol City

Sunderland's social media team were made to feel both relieved and very embarrassed at the same time, after the Black Cats rallied back to snatch a point against promotion hopefuls Bristol City on Saturday. The Robins went up 3-0 in just 37 minutes, but the last 20 minutes of the match left the fans who had left prematurely quite regretful. Imagine traveling 290 miles from Sunderland to Bristol to leave early after going 3-0 down, only to come back and draw 3-3  #SAFC — The Away Fans...

Jumping the Gun: Sunderland Sheepishly Delete Tweet After Shock Comeback Against Bristol City

Sunderland's social media team were made to feel both relieved and very embarrassed at the same time, after the Black Cats rallied back to snatch a point against promotion hopefuls Bristol City on Saturday. The Robins went up 3-0 in just 37 minutes, but the last 20 minutes of the match left the fans who had left prematurely quite regretful. Imagine traveling 290 miles from Sunderland to Bristol to leave early after going 3-0 down, only to come back and draw 3-3  #SAFC — The Away Fans...

Jumping the Gun: Sunderland Sheepishly Delete Tweet After Shock Comeback Against Bristol City

Sunderland's social media team were made to feel both relieved and very embarrassed at the same time, after the Black Cats rallied back to snatch a point against promotion hopefuls Bristol City on Saturday. The Robins went up 3-0 in just 37 minutes, but the last 20 minutes of the match left the fans who had left prematurely quite regretful. Imagine traveling 290 miles from Sunderland to Bristol to leave early after going 3-0 down, only to come back and draw 3-3  #SAFC — The Away Fans...

Wilfried Zaha arrived in style in his gleaming grey Lamborghini. The engine roared as he approached, the hazard lights flashed, the metalwork sparkled. He revved the engine to make sure heads were turned in his direction. It was an eye-catching entrance by a player whose talent is impossible to ignore. As he swung into the car park with a rumble of hidden horsepower, two Crystal Palace supporters looked at each other and smiled. It was a look that said everything will be ok, Wilf is here. Zaha is a sports car of a player. Quick, flash and beautiful to look at in motion. He is a luxury item shining in the gloom of a relegation battle in south London. Had Newcastle not had to deal with him, they may well have won this ferocious tussle with a team sitting directly above them in the table, instead of clinging on for a point. There are other fine players currently employed by teams outside of the top six, but you would have a tough job convincing anyone they are superior to Zaha. He is mesmerising at times, impossible to tie down. His acceleration is blistering, his speed over the ground, with or without the ball, enough to stretch the most organised backline. His ability to twist and turn causes havoc in every defence that comes up against him. Wilfried Zaha requires constant attention from multiple Newcastle defenders Credit: AFP Even when he is not at his best, Zaha is capable of turning a game around. He is a player who makes things happen, who makes opposition teams panic. Without him, Palace would not have troubled Newcastle’s defence often enough to get back into this contest, but if he stays fit between now and May, Palace will surely survive. “He was excellent in the second half,” said his manager, Roy Hodgson. “He was quiet in the first half, but in the second half we saw the Wilf Zaha we've been seeing for the last two or three months, really coming alive. “We asked lots of question of Newcastle in the second half, but the goal wouldn't come. But I don’t see this as two points dropped. Teams at the top of the table drop points. Teams like us and Newcastle at the bottom of the table do not drop points, we gain them and this is another one for us both.” Rafa Benitez making his point Credit: ACTION IMAGES On the face of things, it was a better point for Newcastle, away from home, against a relegation rival. However, after a composed first-half display, in which they took the lead through Mo Diame, they looked bedraggled and desperate for the final whistle to be blown by the end. Zaha did that to them, even if it was Luka Milivojevic who scored Palace’s goal, from the penalty spot, after Ciaran Clark was a little unfortunate to be penalised for pulling the shirt of Christian Benteke when the Belgian striker was also pushing him away. Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Karl Darlow, got both hands to the spot kick, but could not keep it out and the Magpies were made to pay for not making the most of the chances they had to score a second goal. Kenedy missing the best of them when he shot straight at Wayne Hennessey just before half time. Having scored the equaliser, Palace were rampant. They looked the better, more accomplished side; the team with the superior players and therefore the team that will eventually pull clear of relegation danger. But they have not done so yet and that is credit to Newcastle’s refusal to accept defeat here. Whatever they lack in quality, they make up for in spirit and that may still be enough to also keep them in the Premier League come May. The double block on the line by Clark in the dying seconds was typical of that determination, although DeAndre Yedlin also deserves praise for at least trying to keep Zaha in check. “We are playing against good players like Zaha,” said Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez. “Even though we have someone like Yedlin who is quick and can deal with the ball in behind, when Zaha got the ball at his feet he is always dangerous and he did well, especially in the second half. “Even when you know what he is capable of, when he dribbles, he can still hurt you. In the end our togetherness and spirit have got us through. "In the first half, we were in control, doing well and we had another chance to score the second goal. But when you do not score the second goal, you are going to be put under pressure. The way we were blocking shots at the end, it is still another point extra for us so I’m quite happy.” 4:10PM Full time: Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle United 1 Palace had much the better of the second half, and I think they should have won that. Loads of shots, but little composure. Luke Edwards's match report will be up directly. Cheers! Why not head over to Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: live score updates 4:08PM 93 mins Ritchie breaks, finds Atsu, who curls a shot wide. Not quite sure how Palace didn’t pinch it. Credit to Newcastle, though, for showing real resilience .— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 4, 2018 4:06PM 91 mins Benteke has the ball and has a chance to tee up a colleague but his pass is weak. 4:06PM 90 mins Darlow with a brave dive at the feet of Cabaye. 4:06PM 88 mins Shelvey, with the sort of sheer idiotic refusal to learn from experience that characaterises football in Britain, has practically ripped the shirt off an opponent at a corner. The linesman, having already called one penalty for shirt pulling this afternoon, either misses this or bottles it. Credit: Sky Sports 4:04PM 87 mins Another chance! Zaha brilliant down the left, sells Yedlin for dead, crosses and Benteke meets it with a firm header. Blocked on the line. Palace go for the follow up and it's a total bun fight in there. Behind for a corner. I think it was Dummett who cleared maybe. Credit: Sky Sports 4:00PM 84 mins Timmy F-M involved in the move, good lay off from McArthur, and it finds Zaha. He takes a touch, shifts it, and curls a shot at goal. Wide. That is Palace's 17th attempt. Zaha could have done better. 3:58PM 82 mins 81' - Mikel Merino barged off the ball by Townsend. He can't stay on his feet and eventually the ball goes out for a goal-kick. No free-kick. We've seen penalties given for less... �� #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 I mean, I guess. 3:57PM 81 mins Palace are exactly the sort of side who could totally dominate a half and then get turned over in the last few minutes. To that point, Newc have a corner... cleared.. 3:57PM 79 mins James McArthur with a nice hit that skims the crossbar. 3:55PM Appointment of the day Jesse Lingard is at Marine watching Everton Ladies v Bristol City in the FA Cup. Scouting for PNev?! https://t.co/Iid4jcVs6Z— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) February 4, 2018 3:54PM 77 mins Newcastle sub - Perez off, Merino on. Wool he make the difference? 3:51PM Poor old Luke has seen this all before Once again #nufc fail to hold on to lead and now clinging on to try and hold on to a point. Not sure who I blame but so composed at the start and now mistakes all over the pitch. Clark no need to cling on to Benteke when he jumped for pen but dubious decision all the same— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 3:50PM 75 mins Lascelles gets in the way of Darlow as Cabaye crosses it, the NUFC drops it and it's all hands to the pump for the Toon, who are getting a proper time of it at the moment. 3:49PM 74 mins Zaha running riot on the edge of the box, it's impossible to get the ball off him, he looks like a parent playing football with some five year olds. No end product. 3:47PM 71 mins Somebody on the pitch, TV not showing him or her but let's face it probably him. Never understood why they don’t put streakers on the camera and say we won’t give him the oxygen he wanted. Give the people what they want and show us the streaker #CRYNEW— Adam (@AHeavenly_view) February 4, 2018 3:43PM 68 mins Darlow has been a bit shaky since the half. 66' - Opportunity for Palace after Townsend gets to Darlow's low clearance first. He slips the ball to Benteke, who centres for Cabaye to shoot high over the bar. 1-1. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 3:42PM Shirty I think when the 'fouled' player doesn't even know he's been fouled you can say it is harsh! https://t.co/Hxzb2cxdii— Melissa Chappell (@MellyChaps) February 4, 2018 3:42PM 66 mins Here is Zaha down the left, constant danger, Yedlin marshalls him well and concedes a corner. 3:41PM 65 mins The pace and dynamism of Zaha, and the power and vision of Benteke, mean that Palace are always going to be a threat. But they have just six League goals between them (having played 19 games each in the PL) this term and... well, that's not really good enough, is it? If one of them can pop up here, it could be huge for Palace's PL survival hopes. 3:38PM 62 mins Atsu, on for Kenedy, is too nimble for Timmy Fosser-M, who hacks him down for a yellow. 3:36PM Coming up on Telegraph Sport Liverpool v Spurs pic.twitter.com/rgVVXl7IiZ— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 4, 2018 3:35PM 59 mins It feels like a second is coming. Palace fire a cross in from the right, it's not dealt with too well. Now another cross in from the left, Darlow has flapped at that. 3:33PM 58 mins It's all Palace, they're piling it on now, Yedlin slices behind for a corner. Cabaye delivers it, Benteke rises above everyone and, having got to it, should have done better. Palace miles better since Zaha moved to the left— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 4, 2018 3:32PM 57 mins Bad tackle from Dummett, booked for a foul on Townsend. 3:31PM 55 mins Palace fans in fine voice, they've had the best of it since the half, and probably deserve to be on terms all things considered. 3:30PM GOAL! Crystal Palace level it at 1-1 Not the best pen from Milivojevic, Darlow gets a hand to it but it is hit with enough power. �� Captain Luka slots home his sixth of the season! [1-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/FpqmEniCcp— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:28PM Penalty to Palace Given by the linesman for a tug on the shirt... Ref upholds! Milivojevic steps up... Ciaran Clark tugged Chistian Benteke's shirt as he got up for a cross. 3:25PM 50 mins Palace have come out hot here. 3:22PM 47 mins But the corner is meh, and Newcastle break... Kenedy hares down the right and he is in splendid isolation. Whoever is sorting out the Palace defence needs a long hard look at themselves. Kenedy makes a pig's ear of the simple pass to his supporting colleague Perez and CPFC get away with it. Poor from Kenedy. 3:21PM 46 mins Sun's come out, looks quite pleasant now. It's a bright start from Palace too. Milivojevic, Zaha and Benteke all having a hand in a nice move that leads to a corner. 3:18PM 300 Let's hope today has a better outcome than the Hot Gates. Mama's return makes this his 300th career appearance!@mamadousakho �� pic.twitter.com/bhOnRTjrXE— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:14PM Good battles Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in action with Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles Credit: Reuters 3:05PM Half time: Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 1 Two talented attacks, two ropey defences, so no reason to suspect we will not have more goals. Enjoyable stuff so far. Plenty of chances, a few big tackles, what's not to like? 3:02PM 45 mins Half time will be a leeetle delayed because Kelly of Palace has had a knock. He's limping around at a snail's pace. Looks like he is in fact coming off. Mama Sakho is the man to replace him. 3:00PM 44 mins Wonderful touch from Benteke! Ball drilled in hard at him, lovely delicate lay-up for the onrushing Cabaye and he strikes it. Denied again. 3:00PM 43 mins Palace want a penalty! Cabaye's into the box and he goes down as Ritchie challenges. But TV replays soon show that Marriner has got that quite right - not a pen. Ritchie got the ball. 2:59PM 42 mins Not one but two back heels for Palace in the NUFC area, it's pinballing around in there, Zaha eventually gets a shot away and it takes at least one and possibly two deflections. Darlow palms it out in desperation. Benteke! Has a chance for a tap in but it comes at him too quick and hits him on his thigh. �� So close... [0-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/SkA7UnzHkd— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 2:57PM 41 mins Darlow comes bold and early to claim a high ball. I like him as a keeper. His lid is absolutely on point as well. 2:55PM The hero of the hour �� Mo Diamé points towards the travelling Newcastle United fans after scoring the opener at Crystal Palace. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/fqnKkBPFG2— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:54PM 38 mins Pacy break from Zaha ended in stern fashion by Dummett as he slides across and clears into touch. 2:50PM 34 mins Just looking at that Zaha chance again. Yedlin is two foot and a tater, he did well to pick him out. 2:48PM 31 mins Cracking entertainment this! Now it's NUFC who break and a lovely ball from Perez finds Kenedy, he turns his man inside out and fires at goal. Good stop Hennessey but only as far as Perez, who crunches the shot at goal. Hennessey the hero again! Go'orn Wayne. The Brazilian did magnificently to time his run and then cut back onto his right but Hennessey blocked before diving to palm away Pérez's follow-up. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:46PM 30 mins What a chance! Good work from Andros, he slips it to the overlapping Fosu-Mensah, who is moving like a train down that right. Low cross, Zaha meets it crisply but whacks it straight at a defender, Yedlin. Shame. Also a shame for Palace: Referee Marriner gives a goal kick not the obvious corner. 2:44PM 26 mins Another corner, potentially bad news from Crystal Palace. J Shelvey delivers it in, bundled clear just about. 2:40PM GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 up Palace defending woeful once again, and again their problems come about because they have no width of coverage at the back. The low corner comes in, the CPFC defenders drawn magnetically towards it, and there's all the time in the world at the back post for Diame to finish. Credit: Sky Sports He scuffed the ball home, but good enough. Had he not done so, his colleague was right next to him, also unmarked. Hopeless from Hodgson's team. #nufc take the lead, very clever corner routine, deliberately played in low to near post for Perez to hook on to an unmarked Diame at the far post to prod home— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 2:37PM 20 mins Shelvey looks up and spots Kenedy who is again in ACRES down that left. He beats his man, crosses, and it leads to a corner. 2:33PM 17 mins Kenedy and Fosu-Mensah both go for the ball and both get sore ones for their trouble. 16' - Lovely move by the Magpies. Shelvey slips the ball over to Yedlin on the right and Pérez catches his cross on the volley, forcing Hennessey into a save. 0-0. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 Even steven so far, Benteke's effort the closest we have come to breaking the deadlock. 2:32PM 16 mins Perez now runs into van Arnholt as they try and get the ball, and it's Perez who comes off much the worst. Like he ran into a wall, that! 2:31PM 15 mins Ayo Perez has had an effort but the stalwart Hennessy has gathered it. I was a decent volley, coming from a cross by speed merchant Yedlin down the flank. 2:26PM 9 mins van Aanholt with an excellent run and a measured, accurate through ball that opens Newcastle up like a tin of beans. Benteke is onto it, pace and power, but he cannot apply the finish because Darlow has spread himself well to deny the barrelling Belgian. Two iffy defences on show today. NUFC easily split down the centre, Palace apparently playing with four narrow backs and nobody in the full back areas. 2:23PM 6 mins Palace, playing very narrow, are vulnerable to a deep cross here, headed back across the goal by Kenedy but he cannot get pace on the header to tee up Shelvey. 2:22PM 5 mins Newcastle have a freekick from distance, headed across the goal Lascelles I think, Wayne H the keeper has to come for a brave punch. 2:18PM 3 mins Played up to former Palace striker Dwight Gayle, who is in bad need of a goal, but he is offside. Best tackle of the match so far is, sadly, done by Andros Townsend on Benteke just as Benteke was about to shoot! He looks at Andros as if to say, WTF?! They got in each other's way. Wrapping up Credit: Reuters 2:17PM 2 mins Ball lofted forward to Zaha, but he is caught offside. Palace have a poor record against NUFC at home. But here's fun! A ball played forward for Zaha, he's got in between the centre halves... danger... but he stumbles. 2:16PM 1 mins Newcastle kick off. Good atmosphere. The Mags play it around at the back. Master of (shadow) puppets: Rafa Benitez brings his Newcastle United team to Crystal Palace Credit: AFP 2:15PM Newcastle United all in black. Credit: Sky Sports It has just started to drizzle. 2:15PM Crystal Palace Credit: Sky Sports Premier League with a good old fashioned 442. 2:12PM Tunnel chums Credit: Sky Sports Not what you would call a febrile atmosphere in there by the looks of things. Doesn't exactly look like there's any "I'm going to sort you out" psyching out. I wonder, as the wages get ever more life changing, if players will just accept that it's better for everyone not to try and put each other out of action. I wonder if players ensure themselves against career-ending injuries these days. 1:53PM The players are on the pitch warming up One of the Newcastle players has got a bobble hat on. Softy. I shouldn't think the travelling fans have brought a coat between them. 1:47PM Ah, the rhyme of the Andre Marriner He's on referee duty. Here are the teams for those of us still persisting with the widely discredited "written" "word" approach to conveying information, rather than stupid little pictures, screengrabs and hieroglyphs. Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, Townsend, Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur, Zaha, Benteke. Subs: Ward, Sorloth, Sakho, Lee, Souare, Henry, Riedewald. Newcastle: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Kenedy, Gayle, Perez. Subs: Dubravka, Murphy, Hayden, Manquillo, Lejeune, Merino, Atsu. Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands) 1:26PM At least one element of the Newcastle operation has arrived ok! �� Rafa and the lads are pictured arriving at Selhurst Park. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/GDkaZUMXP3— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:24PM Huge game at the bottom of the table Our North East man reckons it could be a vital day come the end of the season. I’m already in London thankfully but it sounds like some #nufc supporters are struggling with trains down to Crystal Palace this morning. I’ve been known to exaggerate from time to time but winners at Selhurst Park stay up for me this season— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 Hope all the travelling Mags get down in time. One thing getting to King's Cross, quite another getting all the way across the capital and then down to Palace. 1:21PM Newcastle United TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up at @CPFC in the @premierleague today (kick-off 2:15pm GMT). #NUFCpic.twitter.com/iYBto376ko— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:20PM Crystal Palace team Here's the #CPFC �� team to take on @NUFC this afternoon!#CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/voLVOKtjMJ— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 1:05PM Good evening Newcastle United make the long trip to Selhurst Park this afternoon under the watchful eye of manager Rafael Benitez, who has paid tribute to the longevity of his opposite number Roy Hodgson by saying that he too would like to carry on coaching well past the age at which he could pick up a bus pass. Rafa said: “Would I like to still be coaching like Roy at 70? I have to say yes. “I like the passion of football and I love my job. I have the energy and desire to win to keep doing this job for years to come. My wife and daughters will regularly say to me ‘hello, haven’t you had enough, stay here?’ "But to be honest I can’t really see a ‘normal’ life for myself.” The next task for both of these admirable men is for them to name the teams who will be contesting the points at Crystal Palace from 2.15pm this afternoon. The match is on television, on Sky Sports Premier League, but my strong preference and respectful suggestion is that you follow the action here with me on our live blog. Later in the afternoon, we will have the exciting Liverpool and Tottenham clash. In the meantime, I will bring you the team news from Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United as soon as I have it.

Wilfried Zaha arrived in style in his gleaming grey Lamborghini. The engine roared as he approached, the hazard lights flashed, the metalwork sparkled. He revved the engine to make sure heads were turned in his direction. It was an eye-catching entrance by a player whose talent is impossible to ignore. As he swung into the car park with a rumble of hidden horsepower, two Crystal Palace supporters looked at each other and smiled. It was a look that said everything will be ok, Wilf is here. Zaha is a sports car of a player. Quick, flash and beautiful to look at in motion. He is a luxury item shining in the gloom of a relegation battle in south London. Had Newcastle not had to deal with him, they may well have won this ferocious tussle with a team sitting directly above them in the table, instead of clinging on for a point. There are other fine players currently employed by teams outside of the top six, but you would have a tough job convincing anyone they are superior to Zaha. He is mesmerising at times, impossible to tie down. His acceleration is blistering, his speed over the ground, with or without the ball, enough to stretch the most organised backline. His ability to twist and turn causes havoc in every defence that comes up against him. Wilfried Zaha requires constant attention from multiple Newcastle defenders Credit: AFP Even when he is not at his best, Zaha is capable of turning a game around. He is a player who makes things happen, who makes opposition teams panic. Without him, Palace would not have troubled Newcastle’s defence often enough to get back into this contest, but if he stays fit between now and May, Palace will surely survive. “He was excellent in the second half,” said his manager, Roy Hodgson. “He was quiet in the first half, but in the second half we saw the Wilf Zaha we've been seeing for the last two or three months, really coming alive. “We asked lots of question of Newcastle in the second half, but the goal wouldn't come. But I don’t see this as two points dropped. Teams at the top of the table drop points. Teams like us and Newcastle at the bottom of the table do not drop points, we gain them and this is another one for us both.” Rafa Benitez making his point Credit: ACTION IMAGES On the face of things, it was a better point for Newcastle, away from home, against a relegation rival. However, after a composed first-half display, in which they took the lead through Mo Diame, they looked bedraggled and desperate for the final whistle to be blown by the end. Zaha did that to them, even if it was Luka Milivojevic who scored Palace’s goal, from the penalty spot, after Ciaran Clark was a little unfortunate to be penalised for pulling the shirt of Christian Benteke when the Belgian striker was also pushing him away. Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Karl Darlow, got both hands to the spot kick, but could not keep it out and the Magpies were made to pay for not making the most of the chances they had to score a second goal. Kenedy missing the best of them when he shot straight at Wayne Hennessey just before half time. Having scored the equaliser, Palace were rampant. They looked the better, more accomplished side; the team with the superior players and therefore the team that will eventually pull clear of relegation danger. But they have not done so yet and that is credit to Newcastle’s refusal to accept defeat here. Whatever they lack in quality, they make up for in spirit and that may still be enough to also keep them in the Premier League come May. The double block on the line by Clark in the dying seconds was typical of that determination, although DeAndre Yedlin also deserves praise for at least trying to keep Zaha in check. “We are playing against good players like Zaha,” said Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez. “Even though we have someone like Yedlin who is quick and can deal with the ball in behind, when Zaha got the ball at his feet he is always dangerous and he did well, especially in the second half. “Even when you know what he is capable of, when he dribbles, he can still hurt you. In the end our togetherness and spirit have got us through. "In the first half, we were in control, doing well and we had another chance to score the second goal. But when you do not score the second goal, you are going to be put under pressure. The way we were blocking shots at the end, it is still another point extra for us so I’m quite happy.” 4:10PM Full time: Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle United 1 Palace had much the better of the second half, and I think they should have won that. Loads of shots, but little composure. Luke Edwards's match report will be up directly. Cheers! Why not head over to Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: live score updates 4:08PM 93 mins Ritchie breaks, finds Atsu, who curls a shot wide. Not quite sure how Palace didn’t pinch it. Credit to Newcastle, though, for showing real resilience .— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 4, 2018 4:06PM 91 mins Benteke has the ball and has a chance to tee up a colleague but his pass is weak. 4:06PM 90 mins Darlow with a brave dive at the feet of Cabaye. 4:06PM 88 mins Shelvey, with the sort of sheer idiotic refusal to learn from experience that characaterises football in Britain, has practically ripped the shirt off an opponent at a corner. The linesman, having already called one penalty for shirt pulling this afternoon, either misses this or bottles it. Credit: Sky Sports 4:04PM 87 mins Another chance! Zaha brilliant down the left, sells Yedlin for dead, crosses and Benteke meets it with a firm header. Blocked on the line. Palace go for the follow up and it's a total bun fight in there. Behind for a corner. I think it was Dummett who cleared maybe. Credit: Sky Sports 4:00PM 84 mins Timmy F-M involved in the move, good lay off from McArthur, and it finds Zaha. He takes a touch, shifts it, and curls a shot at goal. Wide. That is Palace's 17th attempt. Zaha could have done better. 3:58PM 82 mins 81' - Mikel Merino barged off the ball by Townsend. He can't stay on his feet and eventually the ball goes out for a goal-kick. No free-kick. We've seen penalties given for less... �� #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 I mean, I guess. 3:57PM 81 mins Palace are exactly the sort of side who could totally dominate a half and then get turned over in the last few minutes. To that point, Newc have a corner... cleared.. 3:57PM 79 mins James McArthur with a nice hit that skims the crossbar. 3:55PM Appointment of the day Jesse Lingard is at Marine watching Everton Ladies v Bristol City in the FA Cup. Scouting for PNev?! https://t.co/Iid4jcVs6Z— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) February 4, 2018 3:54PM 77 mins Newcastle sub - Perez off, Merino on. Wool he make the difference? 3:51PM Poor old Luke has seen this all before Once again #nufc fail to hold on to lead and now clinging on to try and hold on to a point. Not sure who I blame but so composed at the start and now mistakes all over the pitch. Clark no need to cling on to Benteke when he jumped for pen but dubious decision all the same— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 3:50PM 75 mins Lascelles gets in the way of Darlow as Cabaye crosses it, the NUFC drops it and it's all hands to the pump for the Toon, who are getting a proper time of it at the moment. 3:49PM 74 mins Zaha running riot on the edge of the box, it's impossible to get the ball off him, he looks like a parent playing football with some five year olds. No end product. 3:47PM 71 mins Somebody on the pitch, TV not showing him or her but let's face it probably him. Never understood why they don’t put streakers on the camera and say we won’t give him the oxygen he wanted. Give the people what they want and show us the streaker #CRYNEW— Adam (@AHeavenly_view) February 4, 2018 3:43PM 68 mins Darlow has been a bit shaky since the half. 66' - Opportunity for Palace after Townsend gets to Darlow's low clearance first. He slips the ball to Benteke, who centres for Cabaye to shoot high over the bar. 1-1. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 3:42PM Shirty I think when the 'fouled' player doesn't even know he's been fouled you can say it is harsh! https://t.co/Hxzb2cxdii— Melissa Chappell (@MellyChaps) February 4, 2018 3:42PM 66 mins Here is Zaha down the left, constant danger, Yedlin marshalls him well and concedes a corner. 3:41PM 65 mins The pace and dynamism of Zaha, and the power and vision of Benteke, mean that Palace are always going to be a threat. But they have just six League goals between them (having played 19 games each in the PL) this term and... well, that's not really good enough, is it? If one of them can pop up here, it could be huge for Palace's PL survival hopes. 3:38PM 62 mins Atsu, on for Kenedy, is too nimble for Timmy Fosser-M, who hacks him down for a yellow. 3:36PM Coming up on Telegraph Sport Liverpool v Spurs pic.twitter.com/rgVVXl7IiZ— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 4, 2018 3:35PM 59 mins It feels like a second is coming. Palace fire a cross in from the right, it's not dealt with too well. Now another cross in from the left, Darlow has flapped at that. 3:33PM 58 mins It's all Palace, they're piling it on now, Yedlin slices behind for a corner. Cabaye delivers it, Benteke rises above everyone and, having got to it, should have done better. Palace miles better since Zaha moved to the left— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 4, 2018 3:32PM 57 mins Bad tackle from Dummett, booked for a foul on Townsend. 3:31PM 55 mins Palace fans in fine voice, they've had the best of it since the half, and probably deserve to be on terms all things considered. 3:30PM GOAL! Crystal Palace level it at 1-1 Not the best pen from Milivojevic, Darlow gets a hand to it but it is hit with enough power. �� Captain Luka slots home his sixth of the season! [1-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/FpqmEniCcp— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:28PM Penalty to Palace Given by the linesman for a tug on the shirt... Ref upholds! Milivojevic steps up... Ciaran Clark tugged Chistian Benteke's shirt as he got up for a cross. 3:25PM 50 mins Palace have come out hot here. 3:22PM 47 mins But the corner is meh, and Newcastle break... Kenedy hares down the right and he is in splendid isolation. Whoever is sorting out the Palace defence needs a long hard look at themselves. Kenedy makes a pig's ear of the simple pass to his supporting colleague Perez and CPFC get away with it. Poor from Kenedy. 3:21PM 46 mins Sun's come out, looks quite pleasant now. It's a bright start from Palace too. Milivojevic, Zaha and Benteke all having a hand in a nice move that leads to a corner. 3:18PM 300 Let's hope today has a better outcome than the Hot Gates. Mama's return makes this his 300th career appearance!@mamadousakho �� pic.twitter.com/bhOnRTjrXE— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:14PM Good battles Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in action with Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles Credit: Reuters 3:05PM Half time: Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 1 Two talented attacks, two ropey defences, so no reason to suspect we will not have more goals. Enjoyable stuff so far. Plenty of chances, a few big tackles, what's not to like? 3:02PM 45 mins Half time will be a leeetle delayed because Kelly of Palace has had a knock. He's limping around at a snail's pace. Looks like he is in fact coming off. Mama Sakho is the man to replace him. 3:00PM 44 mins Wonderful touch from Benteke! Ball drilled in hard at him, lovely delicate lay-up for the onrushing Cabaye and he strikes it. Denied again. 3:00PM 43 mins Palace want a penalty! Cabaye's into the box and he goes down as Ritchie challenges. But TV replays soon show that Marriner has got that quite right - not a pen. Ritchie got the ball. 2:59PM 42 mins Not one but two back heels for Palace in the NUFC area, it's pinballing around in there, Zaha eventually gets a shot away and it takes at least one and possibly two deflections. Darlow palms it out in desperation. Benteke! Has a chance for a tap in but it comes at him too quick and hits him on his thigh. �� So close... [0-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/SkA7UnzHkd— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 2:57PM 41 mins Darlow comes bold and early to claim a high ball. I like him as a keeper. His lid is absolutely on point as well. 2:55PM The hero of the hour �� Mo Diamé points towards the travelling Newcastle United fans after scoring the opener at Crystal Palace. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/fqnKkBPFG2— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:54PM 38 mins Pacy break from Zaha ended in stern fashion by Dummett as he slides across and clears into touch. 2:50PM 34 mins Just looking at that Zaha chance again. Yedlin is two foot and a tater, he did well to pick him out. 2:48PM 31 mins Cracking entertainment this! Now it's NUFC who break and a lovely ball from Perez finds Kenedy, he turns his man inside out and fires at goal. Good stop Hennessey but only as far as Perez, who crunches the shot at goal. Hennessey the hero again! Go'orn Wayne. The Brazilian did magnificently to time his run and then cut back onto his right but Hennessey blocked before diving to palm away Pérez's follow-up. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:46PM 30 mins What a chance! Good work from Andros, he slips it to the overlapping Fosu-Mensah, who is moving like a train down that right. Low cross, Zaha meets it crisply but whacks it straight at a defender, Yedlin. Shame. Also a shame for Palace: Referee Marriner gives a goal kick not the obvious corner. 2:44PM 26 mins Another corner, potentially bad news from Crystal Palace. J Shelvey delivers it in, bundled clear just about. 2:40PM GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 up Palace defending woeful once again, and again their problems come about because they have no width of coverage at the back. The low corner comes in, the CPFC defenders drawn magnetically towards it, and there's all the time in the world at the back post for Diame to finish. Credit: Sky Sports He scuffed the ball home, but good enough. Had he not done so, his colleague was right next to him, also unmarked. Hopeless from Hodgson's team. #nufc take the lead, very clever corner routine, deliberately played in low to near post for Perez to hook on to an unmarked Diame at the far post to prod home— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 2:37PM 20 mins Shelvey looks up and spots Kenedy who is again in ACRES down that left. He beats his man, crosses, and it leads to a corner. 2:33PM 17 mins Kenedy and Fosu-Mensah both go for the ball and both get sore ones for their trouble. 16' - Lovely move by the Magpies. Shelvey slips the ball over to Yedlin on the right and Pérez catches his cross on the volley, forcing Hennessey into a save. 0-0. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 Even steven so far, Benteke's effort the closest we have come to breaking the deadlock. 2:32PM 16 mins Perez now runs into van Arnholt as they try and get the ball, and it's Perez who comes off much the worst. Like he ran into a wall, that! 2:31PM 15 mins Ayo Perez has had an effort but the stalwart Hennessy has gathered it. I was a decent volley, coming from a cross by speed merchant Yedlin down the flank. 2:26PM 9 mins van Aanholt with an excellent run and a measured, accurate through ball that opens Newcastle up like a tin of beans. Benteke is onto it, pace and power, but he cannot apply the finish because Darlow has spread himself well to deny the barrelling Belgian. Two iffy defences on show today. NUFC easily split down the centre, Palace apparently playing with four narrow backs and nobody in the full back areas. 2:23PM 6 mins Palace, playing very narrow, are vulnerable to a deep cross here, headed back across the goal by Kenedy but he cannot get pace on the header to tee up Shelvey. 2:22PM 5 mins Newcastle have a freekick from distance, headed across the goal Lascelles I think, Wayne H the keeper has to come for a brave punch. 2:18PM 3 mins Played up to former Palace striker Dwight Gayle, who is in bad need of a goal, but he is offside. Best tackle of the match so far is, sadly, done by Andros Townsend on Benteke just as Benteke was about to shoot! He looks at Andros as if to say, WTF?! They got in each other's way. Wrapping up Credit: Reuters 2:17PM 2 mins Ball lofted forward to Zaha, but he is caught offside. Palace have a poor record against NUFC at home. But here's fun! A ball played forward for Zaha, he's got in between the centre halves... danger... but he stumbles. 2:16PM 1 mins Newcastle kick off. Good atmosphere. The Mags play it around at the back. Master of (shadow) puppets: Rafa Benitez brings his Newcastle United team to Crystal Palace Credit: AFP 2:15PM Newcastle United all in black. Credit: Sky Sports It has just started to drizzle. 2:15PM Crystal Palace Credit: Sky Sports Premier League with a good old fashioned 442. 2:12PM Tunnel chums Credit: Sky Sports Not what you would call a febrile atmosphere in there by the looks of things. Doesn't exactly look like there's any "I'm going to sort you out" psyching out. I wonder, as the wages get ever more life changing, if players will just accept that it's better for everyone not to try and put each other out of action. I wonder if players ensure themselves against career-ending injuries these days. 1:53PM The players are on the pitch warming up One of the Newcastle players has got a bobble hat on. Softy. I shouldn't think the travelling fans have brought a coat between them. 1:47PM Ah, the rhyme of the Andre Marriner He's on referee duty. Here are the teams for those of us still persisting with the widely discredited "written" "word" approach to conveying information, rather than stupid little pictures, screengrabs and hieroglyphs. Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, Townsend, Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur, Zaha, Benteke. Subs: Ward, Sorloth, Sakho, Lee, Souare, Henry, Riedewald. Newcastle: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Kenedy, Gayle, Perez. Subs: Dubravka, Murphy, Hayden, Manquillo, Lejeune, Merino, Atsu. Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands) 1:26PM At least one element of the Newcastle operation has arrived ok! �� Rafa and the lads are pictured arriving at Selhurst Park. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/GDkaZUMXP3— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:24PM Huge game at the bottom of the table Our North East man reckons it could be a vital day come the end of the season. I’m already in London thankfully but it sounds like some #nufc supporters are struggling with trains down to Crystal Palace this morning. I’ve been known to exaggerate from time to time but winners at Selhurst Park stay up for me this season— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 Hope all the travelling Mags get down in time. One thing getting to King's Cross, quite another getting all the way across the capital and then down to Palace. 1:21PM Newcastle United TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up at @CPFC in the @premierleague today (kick-off 2:15pm GMT). #NUFCpic.twitter.com/iYBto376ko— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:20PM Crystal Palace team Here's the #CPFC �� team to take on @NUFC this afternoon!#CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/voLVOKtjMJ— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 1:05PM Good evening Newcastle United make the long trip to Selhurst Park this afternoon under the watchful eye of manager Rafael Benitez, who has paid tribute to the longevity of his opposite number Roy Hodgson by saying that he too would like to carry on coaching well past the age at which he could pick up a bus pass. Rafa said: “Would I like to still be coaching like Roy at 70? I have to say yes. “I like the passion of football and I love my job. I have the energy and desire to win to keep doing this job for years to come. My wife and daughters will regularly say to me ‘hello, haven’t you had enough, stay here?’ "But to be honest I can’t really see a ‘normal’ life for myself.” The next task for both of these admirable men is for them to name the teams who will be contesting the points at Crystal Palace from 2.15pm this afternoon. The match is on television, on Sky Sports Premier League, but my strong preference and respectful suggestion is that you follow the action here with me on our live blog. Later in the afternoon, we will have the exciting Liverpool and Tottenham clash. In the meantime, I will bring you the team news from Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United as soon as I have it.

Wilfried Zaha arrived in style in his gleaming grey Lamborghini. The engine roared as he approached, the hazard lights flashed, the metalwork sparkled. He revved the engine to make sure heads were turned in his direction. It was an eye-catching entrance by a player whose talent is impossible to ignore. As he swung into the car park with a rumble of hidden horsepower, two Crystal Palace supporters looked at each other and smiled. It was a look that said everything will be ok, Wilf is here. Zaha is a sports car of a player. Quick, flash and beautiful to look at in motion. He is a luxury item shining in the gloom of a relegation battle in south London. Had Newcastle not had to deal with him, they may well have won this ferocious tussle with a team sitting directly above them in the table, instead of clinging on for a point. There are other fine players currently employed by teams outside of the top six, but you would have a tough job convincing anyone they are superior to Zaha. He is mesmerising at times, impossible to tie down. His acceleration is blistering, his speed over the ground, with or without the ball, enough to stretch the most organised backline. His ability to twist and turn causes havoc in every defence that comes up against him. Wilfried Zaha requires constant attention from multiple Newcastle defenders Credit: AFP Even when he is not at his best, Zaha is capable of turning a game around. He is a player who makes things happen, who makes opposition teams panic. Without him, Palace would not have troubled Newcastle’s defence often enough to get back into this contest, but if he stays fit between now and May, Palace will surely survive. “He was excellent in the second half,” said his manager, Roy Hodgson. “He was quiet in the first half, but in the second half we saw the Wilf Zaha we've been seeing for the last two or three months, really coming alive. “We asked lots of question of Newcastle in the second half, but the goal wouldn't come. But I don’t see this as two points dropped. Teams at the top of the table drop points. Teams like us and Newcastle at the bottom of the table do not drop points, we gain them and this is another one for us both.” Rafa Benitez making his point Credit: ACTION IMAGES On the face of things, it was a better point for Newcastle, away from home, against a relegation rival. However, after a composed first-half display, in which they took the lead through Mo Diame, they looked bedraggled and desperate for the final whistle to be blown by the end. Zaha did that to them, even if it was Luka Milivojevic who scored Palace’s goal, from the penalty spot, after Ciaran Clark was a little unfortunate to be penalised for pulling the shirt of Christian Benteke when the Belgian striker was also pushing him away. Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Karl Darlow, got both hands to the spot kick, but could not keep it out and the Magpies were made to pay for not making the most of the chances they had to score a second goal. Kenedy missing the best of them when he shot straight at Wayne Hennessey just before half time. Having scored the equaliser, Palace were rampant. They looked the better, more accomplished side; the team with the superior players and therefore the team that will eventually pull clear of relegation danger. But they have not done so yet and that is credit to Newcastle’s refusal to accept defeat here. Whatever they lack in quality, they make up for in spirit and that may still be enough to also keep them in the Premier League come May. The double block on the line by Clark in the dying seconds was typical of that determination, although DeAndre Yedlin also deserves praise for at least trying to keep Zaha in check. “We are playing against good players like Zaha,” said Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez. “Even though we have someone like Yedlin who is quick and can deal with the ball in behind, when Zaha got the ball at his feet he is always dangerous and he did well, especially in the second half. “Even when you know what he is capable of, when he dribbles, he can still hurt you. In the end our togetherness and spirit have got us through. "In the first half, we were in control, doing well and we had another chance to score the second goal. But when you do not score the second goal, you are going to be put under pressure. The way we were blocking shots at the end, it is still another point extra for us so I’m quite happy.” 4:10PM Full time: Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle United 1 Palace had much the better of the second half, and I think they should have won that. Loads of shots, but little composure. Luke Edwards's match report will be up directly. Cheers! Why not head over to Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: live score updates 4:08PM 93 mins Ritchie breaks, finds Atsu, who curls a shot wide. Not quite sure how Palace didn’t pinch it. Credit to Newcastle, though, for showing real resilience .— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 4, 2018 4:06PM 91 mins Benteke has the ball and has a chance to tee up a colleague but his pass is weak. 4:06PM 90 mins Darlow with a brave dive at the feet of Cabaye. 4:06PM 88 mins Shelvey, with the sort of sheer idiotic refusal to learn from experience that characaterises football in Britain, has practically ripped the shirt off an opponent at a corner. The linesman, having already called one penalty for shirt pulling this afternoon, either misses this or bottles it. Credit: Sky Sports 4:04PM 87 mins Another chance! Zaha brilliant down the left, sells Yedlin for dead, crosses and Benteke meets it with a firm header. Blocked on the line. Palace go for the follow up and it's a total bun fight in there. Behind for a corner. I think it was Dummett who cleared maybe. Credit: Sky Sports 4:00PM 84 mins Timmy F-M involved in the move, good lay off from McArthur, and it finds Zaha. He takes a touch, shifts it, and curls a shot at goal. Wide. That is Palace's 17th attempt. Zaha could have done better. 3:58PM 82 mins 81' - Mikel Merino barged off the ball by Townsend. He can't stay on his feet and eventually the ball goes out for a goal-kick. No free-kick. We've seen penalties given for less... �� #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 I mean, I guess. 3:57PM 81 mins Palace are exactly the sort of side who could totally dominate a half and then get turned over in the last few minutes. To that point, Newc have a corner... cleared.. 3:57PM 79 mins James McArthur with a nice hit that skims the crossbar. 3:55PM Appointment of the day Jesse Lingard is at Marine watching Everton Ladies v Bristol City in the FA Cup. Scouting for PNev?! https://t.co/Iid4jcVs6Z— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) February 4, 2018 3:54PM 77 mins Newcastle sub - Perez off, Merino on. Wool he make the difference? 3:51PM Poor old Luke has seen this all before Once again #nufc fail to hold on to lead and now clinging on to try and hold on to a point. Not sure who I blame but so composed at the start and now mistakes all over the pitch. Clark no need to cling on to Benteke when he jumped for pen but dubious decision all the same— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 3:50PM 75 mins Lascelles gets in the way of Darlow as Cabaye crosses it, the NUFC drops it and it's all hands to the pump for the Toon, who are getting a proper time of it at the moment. 3:49PM 74 mins Zaha running riot on the edge of the box, it's impossible to get the ball off him, he looks like a parent playing football with some five year olds. No end product. 3:47PM 71 mins Somebody on the pitch, TV not showing him or her but let's face it probably him. Never understood why they don’t put streakers on the camera and say we won’t give him the oxygen he wanted. Give the people what they want and show us the streaker #CRYNEW— Adam (@AHeavenly_view) February 4, 2018 3:43PM 68 mins Darlow has been a bit shaky since the half. 66' - Opportunity for Palace after Townsend gets to Darlow's low clearance first. He slips the ball to Benteke, who centres for Cabaye to shoot high over the bar. 1-1. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 3:42PM Shirty I think when the 'fouled' player doesn't even know he's been fouled you can say it is harsh! https://t.co/Hxzb2cxdii— Melissa Chappell (@MellyChaps) February 4, 2018 3:42PM 66 mins Here is Zaha down the left, constant danger, Yedlin marshalls him well and concedes a corner. 3:41PM 65 mins The pace and dynamism of Zaha, and the power and vision of Benteke, mean that Palace are always going to be a threat. But they have just six League goals between them (having played 19 games each in the PL) this term and... well, that's not really good enough, is it? If one of them can pop up here, it could be huge for Palace's PL survival hopes. 3:38PM 62 mins Atsu, on for Kenedy, is too nimble for Timmy Fosser-M, who hacks him down for a yellow. 3:36PM Coming up on Telegraph Sport Liverpool v Spurs pic.twitter.com/rgVVXl7IiZ— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 4, 2018 3:35PM 59 mins It feels like a second is coming. Palace fire a cross in from the right, it's not dealt with too well. Now another cross in from the left, Darlow has flapped at that. 3:33PM 58 mins It's all Palace, they're piling it on now, Yedlin slices behind for a corner. Cabaye delivers it, Benteke rises above everyone and, having got to it, should have done better. Palace miles better since Zaha moved to the left— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 4, 2018 3:32PM 57 mins Bad tackle from Dummett, booked for a foul on Townsend. 3:31PM 55 mins Palace fans in fine voice, they've had the best of it since the half, and probably deserve to be on terms all things considered. 3:30PM GOAL! Crystal Palace level it at 1-1 Not the best pen from Milivojevic, Darlow gets a hand to it but it is hit with enough power. �� Captain Luka slots home his sixth of the season! [1-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/FpqmEniCcp— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:28PM Penalty to Palace Given by the linesman for a tug on the shirt... Ref upholds! Milivojevic steps up... Ciaran Clark tugged Chistian Benteke's shirt as he got up for a cross. 3:25PM 50 mins Palace have come out hot here. 3:22PM 47 mins But the corner is meh, and Newcastle break... Kenedy hares down the right and he is in splendid isolation. Whoever is sorting out the Palace defence needs a long hard look at themselves. Kenedy makes a pig's ear of the simple pass to his supporting colleague Perez and CPFC get away with it. Poor from Kenedy. 3:21PM 46 mins Sun's come out, looks quite pleasant now. It's a bright start from Palace too. Milivojevic, Zaha and Benteke all having a hand in a nice move that leads to a corner. 3:18PM 300 Let's hope today has a better outcome than the Hot Gates. Mama's return makes this his 300th career appearance!@mamadousakho �� pic.twitter.com/bhOnRTjrXE— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:14PM Good battles Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in action with Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles Credit: Reuters 3:05PM Half time: Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 1 Two talented attacks, two ropey defences, so no reason to suspect we will not have more goals. Enjoyable stuff so far. Plenty of chances, a few big tackles, what's not to like? 3:02PM 45 mins Half time will be a leeetle delayed because Kelly of Palace has had a knock. He's limping around at a snail's pace. Looks like he is in fact coming off. Mama Sakho is the man to replace him. 3:00PM 44 mins Wonderful touch from Benteke! Ball drilled in hard at him, lovely delicate lay-up for the onrushing Cabaye and he strikes it. Denied again. 3:00PM 43 mins Palace want a penalty! Cabaye's into the box and he goes down as Ritchie challenges. But TV replays soon show that Marriner has got that quite right - not a pen. Ritchie got the ball. 2:59PM 42 mins Not one but two back heels for Palace in the NUFC area, it's pinballing around in there, Zaha eventually gets a shot away and it takes at least one and possibly two deflections. Darlow palms it out in desperation. Benteke! Has a chance for a tap in but it comes at him too quick and hits him on his thigh. �� So close... [0-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/SkA7UnzHkd— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 2:57PM 41 mins Darlow comes bold and early to claim a high ball. I like him as a keeper. His lid is absolutely on point as well. 2:55PM The hero of the hour �� Mo Diamé points towards the travelling Newcastle United fans after scoring the opener at Crystal Palace. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/fqnKkBPFG2— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:54PM 38 mins Pacy break from Zaha ended in stern fashion by Dummett as he slides across and clears into touch. 2:50PM 34 mins Just looking at that Zaha chance again. Yedlin is two foot and a tater, he did well to pick him out. 2:48PM 31 mins Cracking entertainment this! Now it's NUFC who break and a lovely ball from Perez finds Kenedy, he turns his man inside out and fires at goal. Good stop Hennessey but only as far as Perez, who crunches the shot at goal. Hennessey the hero again! Go'orn Wayne. The Brazilian did magnificently to time his run and then cut back onto his right but Hennessey blocked before diving to palm away Pérez's follow-up. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:46PM 30 mins What a chance! Good work from Andros, he slips it to the overlapping Fosu-Mensah, who is moving like a train down that right. Low cross, Zaha meets it crisply but whacks it straight at a defender, Yedlin. Shame. Also a shame for Palace: Referee Marriner gives a goal kick not the obvious corner. 2:44PM 26 mins Another corner, potentially bad news from Crystal Palace. J Shelvey delivers it in, bundled clear just about. 2:40PM GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 up Palace defending woeful once again, and again their problems come about because they have no width of coverage at the back. The low corner comes in, the CPFC defenders drawn magnetically towards it, and there's all the time in the world at the back post for Diame to finish. Credit: Sky Sports He scuffed the ball home, but good enough. Had he not done so, his colleague was right next to him, also unmarked. Hopeless from Hodgson's team. #nufc take the lead, very clever corner routine, deliberately played in low to near post for Perez to hook on to an unmarked Diame at the far post to prod home— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 2:37PM 20 mins Shelvey looks up and spots Kenedy who is again in ACRES down that left. He beats his man, crosses, and it leads to a corner. 2:33PM 17 mins Kenedy and Fosu-Mensah both go for the ball and both get sore ones for their trouble. 16' - Lovely move by the Magpies. Shelvey slips the ball over to Yedlin on the right and Pérez catches his cross on the volley, forcing Hennessey into a save. 0-0. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 Even steven so far, Benteke's effort the closest we have come to breaking the deadlock. 2:32PM 16 mins Perez now runs into van Arnholt as they try and get the ball, and it's Perez who comes off much the worst. Like he ran into a wall, that! 2:31PM 15 mins Ayo Perez has had an effort but the stalwart Hennessy has gathered it. I was a decent volley, coming from a cross by speed merchant Yedlin down the flank. 2:26PM 9 mins van Aanholt with an excellent run and a measured, accurate through ball that opens Newcastle up like a tin of beans. Benteke is onto it, pace and power, but he cannot apply the finish because Darlow has spread himself well to deny the barrelling Belgian. Two iffy defences on show today. NUFC easily split down the centre, Palace apparently playing with four narrow backs and nobody in the full back areas. 2:23PM 6 mins Palace, playing very narrow, are vulnerable to a deep cross here, headed back across the goal by Kenedy but he cannot get pace on the header to tee up Shelvey. 2:22PM 5 mins Newcastle have a freekick from distance, headed across the goal Lascelles I think, Wayne H the keeper has to come for a brave punch. 2:18PM 3 mins Played up to former Palace striker Dwight Gayle, who is in bad need of a goal, but he is offside. Best tackle of the match so far is, sadly, done by Andros Townsend on Benteke just as Benteke was about to shoot! He looks at Andros as if to say, WTF?! They got in each other's way. Wrapping up Credit: Reuters 2:17PM 2 mins Ball lofted forward to Zaha, but he is caught offside. Palace have a poor record against NUFC at home. But here's fun! A ball played forward for Zaha, he's got in between the centre halves... danger... but he stumbles. 2:16PM 1 mins Newcastle kick off. Good atmosphere. The Mags play it around at the back. Master of (shadow) puppets: Rafa Benitez brings his Newcastle United team to Crystal Palace Credit: AFP 2:15PM Newcastle United all in black. Credit: Sky Sports It has just started to drizzle. 2:15PM Crystal Palace Credit: Sky Sports Premier League with a good old fashioned 442. 2:12PM Tunnel chums Credit: Sky Sports Not what you would call a febrile atmosphere in there by the looks of things. Doesn't exactly look like there's any "I'm going to sort you out" psyching out. I wonder, as the wages get ever more life changing, if players will just accept that it's better for everyone not to try and put each other out of action. I wonder if players ensure themselves against career-ending injuries these days. 1:53PM The players are on the pitch warming up One of the Newcastle players has got a bobble hat on. Softy. I shouldn't think the travelling fans have brought a coat between them. 1:47PM Ah, the rhyme of the Andre Marriner He's on referee duty. Here are the teams for those of us still persisting with the widely discredited "written" "word" approach to conveying information, rather than stupid little pictures, screengrabs and hieroglyphs. Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, Townsend, Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur, Zaha, Benteke. Subs: Ward, Sorloth, Sakho, Lee, Souare, Henry, Riedewald. Newcastle: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Kenedy, Gayle, Perez. Subs: Dubravka, Murphy, Hayden, Manquillo, Lejeune, Merino, Atsu. Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands) 1:26PM At least one element of the Newcastle operation has arrived ok! �� Rafa and the lads are pictured arriving at Selhurst Park. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/GDkaZUMXP3— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:24PM Huge game at the bottom of the table Our North East man reckons it could be a vital day come the end of the season. I’m already in London thankfully but it sounds like some #nufc supporters are struggling with trains down to Crystal Palace this morning. I’ve been known to exaggerate from time to time but winners at Selhurst Park stay up for me this season— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 Hope all the travelling Mags get down in time. One thing getting to King's Cross, quite another getting all the way across the capital and then down to Palace. 1:21PM Newcastle United TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up at @CPFC in the @premierleague today (kick-off 2:15pm GMT). #NUFCpic.twitter.com/iYBto376ko— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:20PM Crystal Palace team Here's the #CPFC �� team to take on @NUFC this afternoon!#CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/voLVOKtjMJ— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 1:05PM Good evening Newcastle United make the long trip to Selhurst Park this afternoon under the watchful eye of manager Rafael Benitez, who has paid tribute to the longevity of his opposite number Roy Hodgson by saying that he too would like to carry on coaching well past the age at which he could pick up a bus pass. Rafa said: “Would I like to still be coaching like Roy at 70? I have to say yes. “I like the passion of football and I love my job. I have the energy and desire to win to keep doing this job for years to come. My wife and daughters will regularly say to me ‘hello, haven’t you had enough, stay here?’ "But to be honest I can’t really see a ‘normal’ life for myself.” The next task for both of these admirable men is for them to name the teams who will be contesting the points at Crystal Palace from 2.15pm this afternoon. The match is on television, on Sky Sports Premier League, but my strong preference and respectful suggestion is that you follow the action here with me on our live blog. Later in the afternoon, we will have the exciting Liverpool and Tottenham clash. In the meantime, I will bring you the team news from Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United as soon as I have it.

Wilfried Zaha arrived in style in his gleaming grey Lamborghini. The engine roared as he approached, the hazard lights flashed, the metalwork sparkled. He revved the engine to make sure heads were turned in his direction. It was an eye-catching entrance by a player whose talent is impossible to ignore. As he swung into the car park with a rumble of hidden horsepower, two Crystal Palace supporters looked at each other and smiled. It was a look that said everything will be ok, Wilf is here. Zaha is a sports car of a player. Quick, flash and beautiful to look at in motion. He is a luxury item shining in the gloom of a relegation battle in south London. Had Newcastle not had to deal with him, they may well have won this ferocious tussle with a team sitting directly above them in the table, instead of clinging on for a point. There are other fine players currently employed by teams outside of the top six, but you would have a tough job convincing anyone they are superior to Zaha. He is mesmerising at times, impossible to tie down. His acceleration is blistering, his speed over the ground, with or without the ball, enough to stretch the most organised backline. His ability to twist and turn causes havoc in every defence that comes up against him. Wilfried Zaha requires constant attention from multiple Newcastle defenders Credit: AFP Even when he is not at his best, Zaha is capable of turning a game around. He is a player who makes things happen, who makes opposition teams panic. Without him, Palace would not have troubled Newcastle’s defence often enough to get back into this contest, but if he stays fit between now and May, Palace will surely survive. “He was excellent in the second half,” said his manager, Roy Hodgson. “He was quiet in the first half, but in the second half we saw the Wilf Zaha we've been seeing for the last two or three months, really coming alive. “We asked lots of question of Newcastle in the second half, but the goal wouldn't come. But I don’t see this as two points dropped. Teams at the top of the table drop points. Teams like us and Newcastle at the bottom of the table do not drop points, we gain them and this is another one for us both.” Rafa Benitez making his point Credit: ACTION IMAGES On the face of things, it was a better point for Newcastle, away from home, against a relegation rival. However, after a composed first-half display, in which they took the lead through Mo Diame, they looked bedraggled and desperate for the final whistle to be blown by the end. Zaha did that to them, even if it was Luka Milivojevic who scored Palace’s goal, from the penalty spot, after Ciaran Clark was a little unfortunate to be penalised for pulling the shirt of Christian Benteke when the Belgian striker was also pushing him away. Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Karl Darlow, got both hands to the spot kick, but could not keep it out and the Magpies were made to pay for not making the most of the chances they had to score a second goal. Kenedy missing the best of them when he shot straight at Wayne Hennessey just before half time. Having scored the equaliser, Palace were rampant. They looked the better, more accomplished side; the team with the superior players and therefore the team that will eventually pull clear of relegation danger. But they have not done so yet and that is credit to Newcastle’s refusal to accept defeat here. Whatever they lack in quality, they make up for in spirit and that may still be enough to also keep them in the Premier League come May. The double block on the line by Clark in the dying seconds was typical of that determination, although DeAndre Yedlin also deserves praise for at least trying to keep Zaha in check. “We are playing against good players like Zaha,” said Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez. “Even though we have someone like Yedlin who is quick and can deal with the ball in behind, when Zaha got the ball at his feet he is always dangerous and he did well, especially in the second half. “Even when you know what he is capable of, when he dribbles, he can still hurt you. In the end our togetherness and spirit have got us through. "In the first half, we were in control, doing well and we had another chance to score the second goal. But when you do not score the second goal, you are going to be put under pressure. The way we were blocking shots at the end, it is still another point extra for us so I’m quite happy.” 4:10PM Full time: Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle United 1 Palace had much the better of the second half, and I think they should have won that. Loads of shots, but little composure. Luke Edwards's match report will be up directly. Cheers! Why not head over to Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: live score updates 4:08PM 93 mins Ritchie breaks, finds Atsu, who curls a shot wide. Not quite sure how Palace didn’t pinch it. Credit to Newcastle, though, for showing real resilience .— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 4, 2018 4:06PM 91 mins Benteke has the ball and has a chance to tee up a colleague but his pass is weak. 4:06PM 90 mins Darlow with a brave dive at the feet of Cabaye. 4:06PM 88 mins Shelvey, with the sort of sheer idiotic refusal to learn from experience that characaterises football in Britain, has practically ripped the shirt off an opponent at a corner. The linesman, having already called one penalty for shirt pulling this afternoon, either misses this or bottles it. Credit: Sky Sports 4:04PM 87 mins Another chance! Zaha brilliant down the left, sells Yedlin for dead, crosses and Benteke meets it with a firm header. Blocked on the line. Palace go for the follow up and it's a total bun fight in there. Behind for a corner. I think it was Dummett who cleared maybe. Credit: Sky Sports 4:00PM 84 mins Timmy F-M involved in the move, good lay off from McArthur, and it finds Zaha. He takes a touch, shifts it, and curls a shot at goal. Wide. That is Palace's 17th attempt. Zaha could have done better. 3:58PM 82 mins 81' - Mikel Merino barged off the ball by Townsend. He can't stay on his feet and eventually the ball goes out for a goal-kick. No free-kick. We've seen penalties given for less... �� #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 I mean, I guess. 3:57PM 81 mins Palace are exactly the sort of side who could totally dominate a half and then get turned over in the last few minutes. To that point, Newc have a corner... cleared.. 3:57PM 79 mins James McArthur with a nice hit that skims the crossbar. 3:55PM Appointment of the day Jesse Lingard is at Marine watching Everton Ladies v Bristol City in the FA Cup. Scouting for PNev?! https://t.co/Iid4jcVs6Z— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) February 4, 2018 3:54PM 77 mins Newcastle sub - Perez off, Merino on. Wool he make the difference? 3:51PM Poor old Luke has seen this all before Once again #nufc fail to hold on to lead and now clinging on to try and hold on to a point. Not sure who I blame but so composed at the start and now mistakes all over the pitch. Clark no need to cling on to Benteke when he jumped for pen but dubious decision all the same— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 3:50PM 75 mins Lascelles gets in the way of Darlow as Cabaye crosses it, the NUFC drops it and it's all hands to the pump for the Toon, who are getting a proper time of it at the moment. 3:49PM 74 mins Zaha running riot on the edge of the box, it's impossible to get the ball off him, he looks like a parent playing football with some five year olds. No end product. 3:47PM 71 mins Somebody on the pitch, TV not showing him or her but let's face it probably him. Never understood why they don’t put streakers on the camera and say we won’t give him the oxygen he wanted. Give the people what they want and show us the streaker #CRYNEW— Adam (@AHeavenly_view) February 4, 2018 3:43PM 68 mins Darlow has been a bit shaky since the half. 66' - Opportunity for Palace after Townsend gets to Darlow's low clearance first. He slips the ball to Benteke, who centres for Cabaye to shoot high over the bar. 1-1. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 3:42PM Shirty I think when the 'fouled' player doesn't even know he's been fouled you can say it is harsh! https://t.co/Hxzb2cxdii— Melissa Chappell (@MellyChaps) February 4, 2018 3:42PM 66 mins Here is Zaha down the left, constant danger, Yedlin marshalls him well and concedes a corner. 3:41PM 65 mins The pace and dynamism of Zaha, and the power and vision of Benteke, mean that Palace are always going to be a threat. But they have just six League goals between them (having played 19 games each in the PL) this term and... well, that's not really good enough, is it? If one of them can pop up here, it could be huge for Palace's PL survival hopes. 3:38PM 62 mins Atsu, on for Kenedy, is too nimble for Timmy Fosser-M, who hacks him down for a yellow. 3:36PM Coming up on Telegraph Sport Liverpool v Spurs pic.twitter.com/rgVVXl7IiZ— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 4, 2018 3:35PM 59 mins It feels like a second is coming. Palace fire a cross in from the right, it's not dealt with too well. Now another cross in from the left, Darlow has flapped at that. 3:33PM 58 mins It's all Palace, they're piling it on now, Yedlin slices behind for a corner. Cabaye delivers it, Benteke rises above everyone and, having got to it, should have done better. Palace miles better since Zaha moved to the left— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 4, 2018 3:32PM 57 mins Bad tackle from Dummett, booked for a foul on Townsend. 3:31PM 55 mins Palace fans in fine voice, they've had the best of it since the half, and probably deserve to be on terms all things considered. 3:30PM GOAL! Crystal Palace level it at 1-1 Not the best pen from Milivojevic, Darlow gets a hand to it but it is hit with enough power. �� Captain Luka slots home his sixth of the season! [1-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/FpqmEniCcp— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:28PM Penalty to Palace Given by the linesman for a tug on the shirt... Ref upholds! Milivojevic steps up... Ciaran Clark tugged Chistian Benteke's shirt as he got up for a cross. 3:25PM 50 mins Palace have come out hot here. 3:22PM 47 mins But the corner is meh, and Newcastle break... Kenedy hares down the right and he is in splendid isolation. Whoever is sorting out the Palace defence needs a long hard look at themselves. Kenedy makes a pig's ear of the simple pass to his supporting colleague Perez and CPFC get away with it. Poor from Kenedy. 3:21PM 46 mins Sun's come out, looks quite pleasant now. It's a bright start from Palace too. Milivojevic, Zaha and Benteke all having a hand in a nice move that leads to a corner. 3:18PM 300 Let's hope today has a better outcome than the Hot Gates. Mama's return makes this his 300th career appearance!@mamadousakho �� pic.twitter.com/bhOnRTjrXE— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:14PM Good battles Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in action with Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles Credit: Reuters 3:05PM Half time: Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 1 Two talented attacks, two ropey defences, so no reason to suspect we will not have more goals. Enjoyable stuff so far. Plenty of chances, a few big tackles, what's not to like? 3:02PM 45 mins Half time will be a leeetle delayed because Kelly of Palace has had a knock. He's limping around at a snail's pace. Looks like he is in fact coming off. Mama Sakho is the man to replace him. 3:00PM 44 mins Wonderful touch from Benteke! Ball drilled in hard at him, lovely delicate lay-up for the onrushing Cabaye and he strikes it. Denied again. 3:00PM 43 mins Palace want a penalty! Cabaye's into the box and he goes down as Ritchie challenges. But TV replays soon show that Marriner has got that quite right - not a pen. Ritchie got the ball. 2:59PM 42 mins Not one but two back heels for Palace in the NUFC area, it's pinballing around in there, Zaha eventually gets a shot away and it takes at least one and possibly two deflections. Darlow palms it out in desperation. Benteke! Has a chance for a tap in but it comes at him too quick and hits him on his thigh. �� So close... [0-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/SkA7UnzHkd— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 2:57PM 41 mins Darlow comes bold and early to claim a high ball. I like him as a keeper. His lid is absolutely on point as well. 2:55PM The hero of the hour �� Mo Diamé points towards the travelling Newcastle United fans after scoring the opener at Crystal Palace. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/fqnKkBPFG2— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:54PM 38 mins Pacy break from Zaha ended in stern fashion by Dummett as he slides across and clears into touch. 2:50PM 34 mins Just looking at that Zaha chance again. Yedlin is two foot and a tater, he did well to pick him out. 2:48PM 31 mins Cracking entertainment this! Now it's NUFC who break and a lovely ball from Perez finds Kenedy, he turns his man inside out and fires at goal. Good stop Hennessey but only as far as Perez, who crunches the shot at goal. Hennessey the hero again! Go'orn Wayne. The Brazilian did magnificently to time his run and then cut back onto his right but Hennessey blocked before diving to palm away Pérez's follow-up. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:46PM 30 mins What a chance! Good work from Andros, he slips it to the overlapping Fosu-Mensah, who is moving like a train down that right. Low cross, Zaha meets it crisply but whacks it straight at a defender, Yedlin. Shame. Also a shame for Palace: Referee Marriner gives a goal kick not the obvious corner. 2:44PM 26 mins Another corner, potentially bad news from Crystal Palace. J Shelvey delivers it in, bundled clear just about. 2:40PM GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 up Palace defending woeful once again, and again their problems come about because they have no width of coverage at the back. The low corner comes in, the CPFC defenders drawn magnetically towards it, and there's all the time in the world at the back post for Diame to finish. Credit: Sky Sports He scuffed the ball home, but good enough. Had he not done so, his colleague was right next to him, also unmarked. Hopeless from Hodgson's team. #nufc take the lead, very clever corner routine, deliberately played in low to near post for Perez to hook on to an unmarked Diame at the far post to prod home— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 2:37PM 20 mins Shelvey looks up and spots Kenedy who is again in ACRES down that left. He beats his man, crosses, and it leads to a corner. 2:33PM 17 mins Kenedy and Fosu-Mensah both go for the ball and both get sore ones for their trouble. 16' - Lovely move by the Magpies. Shelvey slips the ball over to Yedlin on the right and Pérez catches his cross on the volley, forcing Hennessey into a save. 0-0. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 Even steven so far, Benteke's effort the closest we have come to breaking the deadlock. 2:32PM 16 mins Perez now runs into van Arnholt as they try and get the ball, and it's Perez who comes off much the worst. Like he ran into a wall, that! 2:31PM 15 mins Ayo Perez has had an effort but the stalwart Hennessy has gathered it. I was a decent volley, coming from a cross by speed merchant Yedlin down the flank. 2:26PM 9 mins van Aanholt with an excellent run and a measured, accurate through ball that opens Newcastle up like a tin of beans. Benteke is onto it, pace and power, but he cannot apply the finish because Darlow has spread himself well to deny the barrelling Belgian. Two iffy defences on show today. NUFC easily split down the centre, Palace apparently playing with four narrow backs and nobody in the full back areas. 2:23PM 6 mins Palace, playing very narrow, are vulnerable to a deep cross here, headed back across the goal by Kenedy but he cannot get pace on the header to tee up Shelvey. 2:22PM 5 mins Newcastle have a freekick from distance, headed across the goal Lascelles I think, Wayne H the keeper has to come for a brave punch. 2:18PM 3 mins Played up to former Palace striker Dwight Gayle, who is in bad need of a goal, but he is offside. Best tackle of the match so far is, sadly, done by Andros Townsend on Benteke just as Benteke was about to shoot! He looks at Andros as if to say, WTF?! They got in each other's way. Wrapping up Credit: Reuters 2:17PM 2 mins Ball lofted forward to Zaha, but he is caught offside. Palace have a poor record against NUFC at home. But here's fun! A ball played forward for Zaha, he's got in between the centre halves... danger... but he stumbles. 2:16PM 1 mins Newcastle kick off. Good atmosphere. The Mags play it around at the back. Master of (shadow) puppets: Rafa Benitez brings his Newcastle United team to Crystal Palace Credit: AFP 2:15PM Newcastle United all in black. Credit: Sky Sports It has just started to drizzle. 2:15PM Crystal Palace Credit: Sky Sports Premier League with a good old fashioned 442. 2:12PM Tunnel chums Credit: Sky Sports Not what you would call a febrile atmosphere in there by the looks of things. Doesn't exactly look like there's any "I'm going to sort you out" psyching out. I wonder, as the wages get ever more life changing, if players will just accept that it's better for everyone not to try and put each other out of action. I wonder if players ensure themselves against career-ending injuries these days. 1:53PM The players are on the pitch warming up One of the Newcastle players has got a bobble hat on. Softy. I shouldn't think the travelling fans have brought a coat between them. 1:47PM Ah, the rhyme of the Andre Marriner He's on referee duty. Here are the teams for those of us still persisting with the widely discredited "written" "word" approach to conveying information, rather than stupid little pictures, screengrabs and hieroglyphs. Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, Townsend, Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur, Zaha, Benteke. Subs: Ward, Sorloth, Sakho, Lee, Souare, Henry, Riedewald. Newcastle: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Kenedy, Gayle, Perez. Subs: Dubravka, Murphy, Hayden, Manquillo, Lejeune, Merino, Atsu. Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands) 1:26PM At least one element of the Newcastle operation has arrived ok! �� Rafa and the lads are pictured arriving at Selhurst Park. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/GDkaZUMXP3— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:24PM Huge game at the bottom of the table Our North East man reckons it could be a vital day come the end of the season. I’m already in London thankfully but it sounds like some #nufc supporters are struggling with trains down to Crystal Palace this morning. I’ve been known to exaggerate from time to time but winners at Selhurst Park stay up for me this season— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 Hope all the travelling Mags get down in time. One thing getting to King's Cross, quite another getting all the way across the capital and then down to Palace. 1:21PM Newcastle United TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up at @CPFC in the @premierleague today (kick-off 2:15pm GMT). #NUFCpic.twitter.com/iYBto376ko— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:20PM Crystal Palace team Here's the #CPFC �� team to take on @NUFC this afternoon!#CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/voLVOKtjMJ— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 1:05PM Good evening Newcastle United make the long trip to Selhurst Park this afternoon under the watchful eye of manager Rafael Benitez, who has paid tribute to the longevity of his opposite number Roy Hodgson by saying that he too would like to carry on coaching well past the age at which he could pick up a bus pass. Rafa said: “Would I like to still be coaching like Roy at 70? I have to say yes. “I like the passion of football and I love my job. I have the energy and desire to win to keep doing this job for years to come. My wife and daughters will regularly say to me ‘hello, haven’t you had enough, stay here?’ "But to be honest I can’t really see a ‘normal’ life for myself.” The next task for both of these admirable men is for them to name the teams who will be contesting the points at Crystal Palace from 2.15pm this afternoon. The match is on television, on Sky Sports Premier League, but my strong preference and respectful suggestion is that you follow the action here with me on our live blog. Later in the afternoon, we will have the exciting Liverpool and Tottenham clash. In the meantime, I will bring you the team news from Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United as soon as I have it.

Wilfried Zaha arrived in style in his gleaming grey Lamborghini. The engine roared as he approached, the hazard lights flashed, the metalwork sparkled. He revved the engine to make sure heads were turned in his direction. It was an eye-catching entrance by a player whose talent is impossible to ignore. As he swung into the car park with a rumble of hidden horsepower, two Crystal Palace supporters looked at each other and smiled. It was a look that said everything will be ok, Wilf is here. Zaha is a sports car of a player. Quick, flash and beautiful to look at in motion. He is a luxury item shining in the gloom of a relegation battle in south London. Had Newcastle not had to deal with him, they may well have won this ferocious tussle with a team sitting directly above them in the table, instead of clinging on for a point. There are other fine players currently employed by teams outside of the top six, but you would have a tough job convincing anyone they are superior to Zaha. He is mesmerising at times, impossible to tie down. His acceleration is blistering, his speed over the ground, with or without the ball, enough to stretch the most organised backline. His ability to twist and turn causes havoc in every defence that comes up against him. Wilfried Zaha requires constant attention from multiple Newcastle defenders Credit: AFP Even when he is not at his best, Zaha is capable of turning a game around. He is a player who makes things happen, who makes opposition teams panic. Without him, Palace would not have troubled Newcastle’s defence often enough to get back into this contest, but if he stays fit between now and May, Palace will surely survive. “He was excellent in the second half,” said his manager, Roy Hodgson. “He was quiet in the first half, but in the second half we saw the Wilf Zaha we've been seeing for the last two or three months, really coming alive. “We asked lots of question of Newcastle in the second half, but the goal wouldn't come. But I don’t see this as two points dropped. Teams at the top of the table drop points. Teams like us and Newcastle at the bottom of the table do not drop points, we gain them and this is another one for us both.” Rafa Benitez making his point Credit: ACTION IMAGES On the face of things, it was a better point for Newcastle, away from home, against a relegation rival. However, after a composed first-half display, in which they took the lead through Mo Diame, they looked bedraggled and desperate for the final whistle to be blown by the end. Zaha did that to them, even if it was Luka Milivojevic who scored Palace’s goal, from the penalty spot, after Ciaran Clark was a little unfortunate to be penalised for pulling the shirt of Christian Benteke when the Belgian striker was also pushing him away. Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Karl Darlow, got both hands to the spot kick, but could not keep it out and the Magpies were made to pay for not making the most of the chances they had to score a second goal. Kenedy missing the best of them when he shot straight at Wayne Hennessey just before half time. Having scored the equaliser, Palace were rampant. They looked the better, more accomplished side; the team with the superior players and therefore the team that will eventually pull clear of relegation danger. But they have not done so yet and that is credit to Newcastle’s refusal to accept defeat here. Whatever they lack in quality, they make up for in spirit and that may still be enough to also keep them in the Premier League come May. The double block on the line by Clark in the dying seconds was typical of that determination, although DeAndre Yedlin also deserves praise for at least trying to keep Zaha in check. “We are playing against good players like Zaha,” said Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez. “Even though we have someone like Yedlin who is quick and can deal with the ball in behind, when Zaha got the ball at his feet he is always dangerous and he did well, especially in the second half. “Even when you know what he is capable of, when he dribbles, he can still hurt you. In the end our togetherness and spirit have got us through. "In the first half, we were in control, doing well and we had another chance to score the second goal. But when you do not score the second goal, you are going to be put under pressure. The way we were blocking shots at the end, it is still another point extra for us so I’m quite happy.” 4:10PM Full time: Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle United 1 Palace had much the better of the second half, and I think they should have won that. Loads of shots, but little composure. Luke Edwards's match report will be up directly. Cheers! Why not head over to Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: live score updates 4:08PM 93 mins Ritchie breaks, finds Atsu, who curls a shot wide. Not quite sure how Palace didn’t pinch it. Credit to Newcastle, though, for showing real resilience .— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 4, 2018 4:06PM 91 mins Benteke has the ball and has a chance to tee up a colleague but his pass is weak. 4:06PM 90 mins Darlow with a brave dive at the feet of Cabaye. 4:06PM 88 mins Shelvey, with the sort of sheer idiotic refusal to learn from experience that characaterises football in Britain, has practically ripped the shirt off an opponent at a corner. The linesman, having already called one penalty for shirt pulling this afternoon, either misses this or bottles it. Credit: Sky Sports 4:04PM 87 mins Another chance! Zaha brilliant down the left, sells Yedlin for dead, crosses and Benteke meets it with a firm header. Blocked on the line. Palace go for the follow up and it's a total bun fight in there. Behind for a corner. I think it was Dummett who cleared maybe. Credit: Sky Sports 4:00PM 84 mins Timmy F-M involved in the move, good lay off from McArthur, and it finds Zaha. He takes a touch, shifts it, and curls a shot at goal. Wide. That is Palace's 17th attempt. Zaha could have done better. 3:58PM 82 mins 81' - Mikel Merino barged off the ball by Townsend. He can't stay on his feet and eventually the ball goes out for a goal-kick. No free-kick. We've seen penalties given for less... �� #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 I mean, I guess. 3:57PM 81 mins Palace are exactly the sort of side who could totally dominate a half and then get turned over in the last few minutes. To that point, Newc have a corner... cleared.. 3:57PM 79 mins James McArthur with a nice hit that skims the crossbar. 3:55PM Appointment of the day Jesse Lingard is at Marine watching Everton Ladies v Bristol City in the FA Cup. Scouting for PNev?! https://t.co/Iid4jcVs6Z— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) February 4, 2018 3:54PM 77 mins Newcastle sub - Perez off, Merino on. Wool he make the difference? 3:51PM Poor old Luke has seen this all before Once again #nufc fail to hold on to lead and now clinging on to try and hold on to a point. Not sure who I blame but so composed at the start and now mistakes all over the pitch. Clark no need to cling on to Benteke when he jumped for pen but dubious decision all the same— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 3:50PM 75 mins Lascelles gets in the way of Darlow as Cabaye crosses it, the NUFC drops it and it's all hands to the pump for the Toon, who are getting a proper time of it at the moment. 3:49PM 74 mins Zaha running riot on the edge of the box, it's impossible to get the ball off him, he looks like a parent playing football with some five year olds. No end product. 3:47PM 71 mins Somebody on the pitch, TV not showing him or her but let's face it probably him. Never understood why they don’t put streakers on the camera and say we won’t give him the oxygen he wanted. Give the people what they want and show us the streaker #CRYNEW— Adam (@AHeavenly_view) February 4, 2018 3:43PM 68 mins Darlow has been a bit shaky since the half. 66' - Opportunity for Palace after Townsend gets to Darlow's low clearance first. He slips the ball to Benteke, who centres for Cabaye to shoot high over the bar. 1-1. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 3:42PM Shirty I think when the 'fouled' player doesn't even know he's been fouled you can say it is harsh! https://t.co/Hxzb2cxdii— Melissa Chappell (@MellyChaps) February 4, 2018 3:42PM 66 mins Here is Zaha down the left, constant danger, Yedlin marshalls him well and concedes a corner. 3:41PM 65 mins The pace and dynamism of Zaha, and the power and vision of Benteke, mean that Palace are always going to be a threat. But they have just six League goals between them (having played 19 games each in the PL) this term and... well, that's not really good enough, is it? If one of them can pop up here, it could be huge for Palace's PL survival hopes. 3:38PM 62 mins Atsu, on for Kenedy, is too nimble for Timmy Fosser-M, who hacks him down for a yellow. 3:36PM Coming up on Telegraph Sport Liverpool v Spurs pic.twitter.com/rgVVXl7IiZ— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 4, 2018 3:35PM 59 mins It feels like a second is coming. Palace fire a cross in from the right, it's not dealt with too well. Now another cross in from the left, Darlow has flapped at that. 3:33PM 58 mins It's all Palace, they're piling it on now, Yedlin slices behind for a corner. Cabaye delivers it, Benteke rises above everyone and, having got to it, should have done better. Palace miles better since Zaha moved to the left— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 4, 2018 3:32PM 57 mins Bad tackle from Dummett, booked for a foul on Townsend. 3:31PM 55 mins Palace fans in fine voice, they've had the best of it since the half, and probably deserve to be on terms all things considered. 3:30PM GOAL! Crystal Palace level it at 1-1 Not the best pen from Milivojevic, Darlow gets a hand to it but it is hit with enough power. �� Captain Luka slots home his sixth of the season! [1-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/FpqmEniCcp— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:28PM Penalty to Palace Given by the linesman for a tug on the shirt... Ref upholds! Milivojevic steps up... Ciaran Clark tugged Chistian Benteke's shirt as he got up for a cross. 3:25PM 50 mins Palace have come out hot here. 3:22PM 47 mins But the corner is meh, and Newcastle break... Kenedy hares down the right and he is in splendid isolation. Whoever is sorting out the Palace defence needs a long hard look at themselves. Kenedy makes a pig's ear of the simple pass to his supporting colleague Perez and CPFC get away with it. Poor from Kenedy. 3:21PM 46 mins Sun's come out, looks quite pleasant now. It's a bright start from Palace too. Milivojevic, Zaha and Benteke all having a hand in a nice move that leads to a corner. 3:18PM 300 Let's hope today has a better outcome than the Hot Gates. Mama's return makes this his 300th career appearance!@mamadousakho �� pic.twitter.com/bhOnRTjrXE— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:14PM Good battles Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in action with Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles Credit: Reuters 3:05PM Half time: Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 1 Two talented attacks, two ropey defences, so no reason to suspect we will not have more goals. Enjoyable stuff so far. Plenty of chances, a few big tackles, what's not to like? 3:02PM 45 mins Half time will be a leeetle delayed because Kelly of Palace has had a knock. He's limping around at a snail's pace. Looks like he is in fact coming off. Mama Sakho is the man to replace him. 3:00PM 44 mins Wonderful touch from Benteke! Ball drilled in hard at him, lovely delicate lay-up for the onrushing Cabaye and he strikes it. Denied again. 3:00PM 43 mins Palace want a penalty! Cabaye's into the box and he goes down as Ritchie challenges. But TV replays soon show that Marriner has got that quite right - not a pen. Ritchie got the ball. 2:59PM 42 mins Not one but two back heels for Palace in the NUFC area, it's pinballing around in there, Zaha eventually gets a shot away and it takes at least one and possibly two deflections. Darlow palms it out in desperation. Benteke! Has a chance for a tap in but it comes at him too quick and hits him on his thigh. �� So close... [0-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/SkA7UnzHkd— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 2:57PM 41 mins Darlow comes bold and early to claim a high ball. I like him as a keeper. His lid is absolutely on point as well. 2:55PM The hero of the hour �� Mo Diamé points towards the travelling Newcastle United fans after scoring the opener at Crystal Palace. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/fqnKkBPFG2— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:54PM 38 mins Pacy break from Zaha ended in stern fashion by Dummett as he slides across and clears into touch. 2:50PM 34 mins Just looking at that Zaha chance again. Yedlin is two foot and a tater, he did well to pick him out. 2:48PM 31 mins Cracking entertainment this! Now it's NUFC who break and a lovely ball from Perez finds Kenedy, he turns his man inside out and fires at goal. Good stop Hennessey but only as far as Perez, who crunches the shot at goal. Hennessey the hero again! Go'orn Wayne. The Brazilian did magnificently to time his run and then cut back onto his right but Hennessey blocked before diving to palm away Pérez's follow-up. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:46PM 30 mins What a chance! Good work from Andros, he slips it to the overlapping Fosu-Mensah, who is moving like a train down that right. Low cross, Zaha meets it crisply but whacks it straight at a defender, Yedlin. Shame. Also a shame for Palace: Referee Marriner gives a goal kick not the obvious corner. 2:44PM 26 mins Another corner, potentially bad news from Crystal Palace. J Shelvey delivers it in, bundled clear just about. 2:40PM GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 up Palace defending woeful once again, and again their problems come about because they have no width of coverage at the back. The low corner comes in, the CPFC defenders drawn magnetically towards it, and there's all the time in the world at the back post for Diame to finish. Credit: Sky Sports He scuffed the ball home, but good enough. Had he not done so, his colleague was right next to him, also unmarked. Hopeless from Hodgson's team. #nufc take the lead, very clever corner routine, deliberately played in low to near post for Perez to hook on to an unmarked Diame at the far post to prod home— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 2:37PM 20 mins Shelvey looks up and spots Kenedy who is again in ACRES down that left. He beats his man, crosses, and it leads to a corner. 2:33PM 17 mins Kenedy and Fosu-Mensah both go for the ball and both get sore ones for their trouble. 16' - Lovely move by the Magpies. Shelvey slips the ball over to Yedlin on the right and Pérez catches his cross on the volley, forcing Hennessey into a save. 0-0. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 Even steven so far, Benteke's effort the closest we have come to breaking the deadlock. 2:32PM 16 mins Perez now runs into van Arnholt as they try and get the ball, and it's Perez who comes off much the worst. Like he ran into a wall, that! 2:31PM 15 mins Ayo Perez has had an effort but the stalwart Hennessy has gathered it. I was a decent volley, coming from a cross by speed merchant Yedlin down the flank. 2:26PM 9 mins van Aanholt with an excellent run and a measured, accurate through ball that opens Newcastle up like a tin of beans. Benteke is onto it, pace and power, but he cannot apply the finish because Darlow has spread himself well to deny the barrelling Belgian. Two iffy defences on show today. NUFC easily split down the centre, Palace apparently playing with four narrow backs and nobody in the full back areas. 2:23PM 6 mins Palace, playing very narrow, are vulnerable to a deep cross here, headed back across the goal by Kenedy but he cannot get pace on the header to tee up Shelvey. 2:22PM 5 mins Newcastle have a freekick from distance, headed across the goal Lascelles I think, Wayne H the keeper has to come for a brave punch. 2:18PM 3 mins Played up to former Palace striker Dwight Gayle, who is in bad need of a goal, but he is offside. Best tackle of the match so far is, sadly, done by Andros Townsend on Benteke just as Benteke was about to shoot! He looks at Andros as if to say, WTF?! They got in each other's way. Wrapping up Credit: Reuters 2:17PM 2 mins Ball lofted forward to Zaha, but he is caught offside. Palace have a poor record against NUFC at home. But here's fun! A ball played forward for Zaha, he's got in between the centre halves... danger... but he stumbles. 2:16PM 1 mins Newcastle kick off. Good atmosphere. The Mags play it around at the back. Master of (shadow) puppets: Rafa Benitez brings his Newcastle United team to Crystal Palace Credit: AFP 2:15PM Newcastle United all in black. Credit: Sky Sports It has just started to drizzle. 2:15PM Crystal Palace Credit: Sky Sports Premier League with a good old fashioned 442. 2:12PM Tunnel chums Credit: Sky Sports Not what you would call a febrile atmosphere in there by the looks of things. Doesn't exactly look like there's any "I'm going to sort you out" psyching out. I wonder, as the wages get ever more life changing, if players will just accept that it's better for everyone not to try and put each other out of action. I wonder if players ensure themselves against career-ending injuries these days. 1:53PM The players are on the pitch warming up One of the Newcastle players has got a bobble hat on. Softy. I shouldn't think the travelling fans have brought a coat between them. 1:47PM Ah, the rhyme of the Andre Marriner He's on referee duty. Here are the teams for those of us still persisting with the widely discredited "written" "word" approach to conveying information, rather than stupid little pictures, screengrabs and hieroglyphs. Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, Townsend, Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur, Zaha, Benteke. Subs: Ward, Sorloth, Sakho, Lee, Souare, Henry, Riedewald. Newcastle: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Kenedy, Gayle, Perez. Subs: Dubravka, Murphy, Hayden, Manquillo, Lejeune, Merino, Atsu. Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands) 1:26PM At least one element of the Newcastle operation has arrived ok! �� Rafa and the lads are pictured arriving at Selhurst Park. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/GDkaZUMXP3— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:24PM Huge game at the bottom of the table Our North East man reckons it could be a vital day come the end of the season. I’m already in London thankfully but it sounds like some #nufc supporters are struggling with trains down to Crystal Palace this morning. I’ve been known to exaggerate from time to time but winners at Selhurst Park stay up for me this season— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 Hope all the travelling Mags get down in time. One thing getting to King's Cross, quite another getting all the way across the capital and then down to Palace. 1:21PM Newcastle United TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up at @CPFC in the @premierleague today (kick-off 2:15pm GMT). #NUFCpic.twitter.com/iYBto376ko— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:20PM Crystal Palace team Here's the #CPFC �� team to take on @NUFC this afternoon!#CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/voLVOKtjMJ— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 1:05PM Good evening Newcastle United make the long trip to Selhurst Park this afternoon under the watchful eye of manager Rafael Benitez, who has paid tribute to the longevity of his opposite number Roy Hodgson by saying that he too would like to carry on coaching well past the age at which he could pick up a bus pass. Rafa said: “Would I like to still be coaching like Roy at 70? I have to say yes. “I like the passion of football and I love my job. I have the energy and desire to win to keep doing this job for years to come. My wife and daughters will regularly say to me ‘hello, haven’t you had enough, stay here?’ "But to be honest I can’t really see a ‘normal’ life for myself.” The next task for both of these admirable men is for them to name the teams who will be contesting the points at Crystal Palace from 2.15pm this afternoon. The match is on television, on Sky Sports Premier League, but my strong preference and respectful suggestion is that you follow the action here with me on our live blog. Later in the afternoon, we will have the exciting Liverpool and Tottenham clash. In the meantime, I will bring you the team news from Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United as soon as I have it.

Wilfried Zaha arrived in style in his gleaming grey Lamborghini. The engine roared as he approached, the hazard lights flashed, the metalwork sparkled. He revved the engine to make sure heads were turned in his direction. It was an eye-catching entrance by a player whose talent is impossible to ignore. As he swung into the car park with a rumble of hidden horsepower, two Crystal Palace supporters looked at each other and smiled. It was a look that said everything will be ok, Wilf is here. Zaha is a sports car of a player. Quick, flash and beautiful to look at in motion. He is a luxury item shining in the gloom of a relegation battle in south London. Had Newcastle not had to deal with him, they may well have won this ferocious tussle with a team sitting directly above them in the table, instead of clinging on for a point. There are other fine players currently employed by teams outside of the top six, but you would have a tough job convincing anyone they are superior to Zaha. He is mesmerising at times, impossible to tie down. His acceleration is blistering, his speed over the ground, with or without the ball, enough to stretch the most organised backline. His ability to twist and turn causes havoc in every defence that comes up against him. Wilfried Zaha requires constant attention from multiple Newcastle defenders Credit: AFP Even when he is not at his best, Zaha is capable of turning a game around. He is a player who makes things happen, who makes opposition teams panic. Without him, Palace would not have troubled Newcastle’s defence often enough to get back into this contest, but if he stays fit between now and May, Palace will surely survive. “He was excellent in the second half,” said his manager, Roy Hodgson. “He was quiet in the first half, but in the second half we saw the Wilf Zaha we've been seeing for the last two or three months, really coming alive. “We asked lots of question of Newcastle in the second half, but the goal wouldn't come. But I don’t see this as two points dropped. Teams at the top of the table drop points. Teams like us and Newcastle at the bottom of the table do not drop points, we gain them and this is another one for us both.” Rafa Benitez making his point Credit: ACTION IMAGES On the face of things, it was a better point for Newcastle, away from home, against a relegation rival. However, after a composed first-half display, in which they took the lead through Mo Diame, they looked bedraggled and desperate for the final whistle to be blown by the end. Zaha did that to them, even if it was Luka Milivojevic who scored Palace’s goal, from the penalty spot, after Ciaran Clark was a little unfortunate to be penalised for pulling the shirt of Christian Benteke when the Belgian striker was also pushing him away. Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Karl Darlow, got both hands to the spot kick, but could not keep it out and the Magpies were made to pay for not making the most of the chances they had to score a second goal. Kenedy missing the best of them when he shot straight at Wayne Hennessey just before half time. Having scored the equaliser, Palace were rampant. They looked the better, more accomplished side; the team with the superior players and therefore the team that will eventually pull clear of relegation danger. But they have not done so yet and that is credit to Newcastle’s refusal to accept defeat here. Whatever they lack in quality, they make up for in spirit and that may still be enough to also keep them in the Premier League come May. The double block on the line by Clark in the dying seconds was typical of that determination, although DeAndre Yedlin also deserves praise for at least trying to keep Zaha in check. “We are playing against good players like Zaha,” said Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez. “Even though we have someone like Yedlin who is quick and can deal with the ball in behind, when Zaha got the ball at his feet he is always dangerous and he did well, especially in the second half. “Even when you know what he is capable of, when he dribbles, he can still hurt you. In the end our togetherness and spirit have got us through. "In the first half, we were in control, doing well and we had another chance to score the second goal. But when you do not score the second goal, you are going to be put under pressure. The way we were blocking shots at the end, it is still another point extra for us so I’m quite happy.” 4:10PM Full time: Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle United 1 Palace had much the better of the second half, and I think they should have won that. Loads of shots, but little composure. Luke Edwards's match report will be up directly. Cheers! Why not head over to Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: live score updates 4:08PM 93 mins Ritchie breaks, finds Atsu, who curls a shot wide. Not quite sure how Palace didn’t pinch it. Credit to Newcastle, though, for showing real resilience .— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 4, 2018 4:06PM 91 mins Benteke has the ball and has a chance to tee up a colleague but his pass is weak. 4:06PM 90 mins Darlow with a brave dive at the feet of Cabaye. 4:06PM 88 mins Shelvey, with the sort of sheer idiotic refusal to learn from experience that characaterises football in Britain, has practically ripped the shirt off an opponent at a corner. The linesman, having already called one penalty for shirt pulling this afternoon, either misses this or bottles it. Credit: Sky Sports 4:04PM 87 mins Another chance! Zaha brilliant down the left, sells Yedlin for dead, crosses and Benteke meets it with a firm header. Blocked on the line. Palace go for the follow up and it's a total bun fight in there. Behind for a corner. I think it was Dummett who cleared maybe. Credit: Sky Sports 4:00PM 84 mins Timmy F-M involved in the move, good lay off from McArthur, and it finds Zaha. He takes a touch, shifts it, and curls a shot at goal. Wide. That is Palace's 17th attempt. Zaha could have done better. 3:58PM 82 mins 81' - Mikel Merino barged off the ball by Townsend. He can't stay on his feet and eventually the ball goes out for a goal-kick. No free-kick. We've seen penalties given for less... �� #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 I mean, I guess. 3:57PM 81 mins Palace are exactly the sort of side who could totally dominate a half and then get turned over in the last few minutes. To that point, Newc have a corner... cleared.. 3:57PM 79 mins James McArthur with a nice hit that skims the crossbar. 3:55PM Appointment of the day Jesse Lingard is at Marine watching Everton Ladies v Bristol City in the FA Cup. Scouting for PNev?! https://t.co/Iid4jcVs6Z— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) February 4, 2018 3:54PM 77 mins Newcastle sub - Perez off, Merino on. Wool he make the difference? 3:51PM Poor old Luke has seen this all before Once again #nufc fail to hold on to lead and now clinging on to try and hold on to a point. Not sure who I blame but so composed at the start and now mistakes all over the pitch. Clark no need to cling on to Benteke when he jumped for pen but dubious decision all the same— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 3:50PM 75 mins Lascelles gets in the way of Darlow as Cabaye crosses it, the NUFC drops it and it's all hands to the pump for the Toon, who are getting a proper time of it at the moment. 3:49PM 74 mins Zaha running riot on the edge of the box, it's impossible to get the ball off him, he looks like a parent playing football with some five year olds. No end product. 3:47PM 71 mins Somebody on the pitch, TV not showing him or her but let's face it probably him. Never understood why they don’t put streakers on the camera and say we won’t give him the oxygen he wanted. Give the people what they want and show us the streaker #CRYNEW— Adam (@AHeavenly_view) February 4, 2018 3:43PM 68 mins Darlow has been a bit shaky since the half. 66' - Opportunity for Palace after Townsend gets to Darlow's low clearance first. He slips the ball to Benteke, who centres for Cabaye to shoot high over the bar. 1-1. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 3:42PM Shirty I think when the 'fouled' player doesn't even know he's been fouled you can say it is harsh! https://t.co/Hxzb2cxdii— Melissa Chappell (@MellyChaps) February 4, 2018 3:42PM 66 mins Here is Zaha down the left, constant danger, Yedlin marshalls him well and concedes a corner. 3:41PM 65 mins The pace and dynamism of Zaha, and the power and vision of Benteke, mean that Palace are always going to be a threat. But they have just six League goals between them (having played 19 games each in the PL) this term and... well, that's not really good enough, is it? If one of them can pop up here, it could be huge for Palace's PL survival hopes. 3:38PM 62 mins Atsu, on for Kenedy, is too nimble for Timmy Fosser-M, who hacks him down for a yellow. 3:36PM Coming up on Telegraph Sport Liverpool v Spurs pic.twitter.com/rgVVXl7IiZ— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 4, 2018 3:35PM 59 mins It feels like a second is coming. Palace fire a cross in from the right, it's not dealt with too well. Now another cross in from the left, Darlow has flapped at that. 3:33PM 58 mins It's all Palace, they're piling it on now, Yedlin slices behind for a corner. Cabaye delivers it, Benteke rises above everyone and, having got to it, should have done better. Palace miles better since Zaha moved to the left— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 4, 2018 3:32PM 57 mins Bad tackle from Dummett, booked for a foul on Townsend. 3:31PM 55 mins Palace fans in fine voice, they've had the best of it since the half, and probably deserve to be on terms all things considered. 3:30PM GOAL! Crystal Palace level it at 1-1 Not the best pen from Milivojevic, Darlow gets a hand to it but it is hit with enough power. �� Captain Luka slots home his sixth of the season! [1-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/FpqmEniCcp— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:28PM Penalty to Palace Given by the linesman for a tug on the shirt... Ref upholds! Milivojevic steps up... Ciaran Clark tugged Chistian Benteke's shirt as he got up for a cross. 3:25PM 50 mins Palace have come out hot here. 3:22PM 47 mins But the corner is meh, and Newcastle break... Kenedy hares down the right and he is in splendid isolation. Whoever is sorting out the Palace defence needs a long hard look at themselves. Kenedy makes a pig's ear of the simple pass to his supporting colleague Perez and CPFC get away with it. Poor from Kenedy. 3:21PM 46 mins Sun's come out, looks quite pleasant now. It's a bright start from Palace too. Milivojevic, Zaha and Benteke all having a hand in a nice move that leads to a corner. 3:18PM 300 Let's hope today has a better outcome than the Hot Gates. Mama's return makes this his 300th career appearance!@mamadousakho �� pic.twitter.com/bhOnRTjrXE— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 3:14PM Good battles Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in action with Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles Credit: Reuters 3:05PM Half time: Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 1 Two talented attacks, two ropey defences, so no reason to suspect we will not have more goals. Enjoyable stuff so far. Plenty of chances, a few big tackles, what's not to like? 3:02PM 45 mins Half time will be a leeetle delayed because Kelly of Palace has had a knock. He's limping around at a snail's pace. Looks like he is in fact coming off. Mama Sakho is the man to replace him. 3:00PM 44 mins Wonderful touch from Benteke! Ball drilled in hard at him, lovely delicate lay-up for the onrushing Cabaye and he strikes it. Denied again. 3:00PM 43 mins Palace want a penalty! Cabaye's into the box and he goes down as Ritchie challenges. But TV replays soon show that Marriner has got that quite right - not a pen. Ritchie got the ball. 2:59PM 42 mins Not one but two back heels for Palace in the NUFC area, it's pinballing around in there, Zaha eventually gets a shot away and it takes at least one and possibly two deflections. Darlow palms it out in desperation. Benteke! Has a chance for a tap in but it comes at him too quick and hits him on his thigh. �� So close... [0-1] #CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/SkA7UnzHkd— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 2:57PM 41 mins Darlow comes bold and early to claim a high ball. I like him as a keeper. His lid is absolutely on point as well. 2:55PM The hero of the hour �� Mo Diamé points towards the travelling Newcastle United fans after scoring the opener at Crystal Palace. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/fqnKkBPFG2— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:54PM 38 mins Pacy break from Zaha ended in stern fashion by Dummett as he slides across and clears into touch. 2:50PM 34 mins Just looking at that Zaha chance again. Yedlin is two foot and a tater, he did well to pick him out. 2:48PM 31 mins Cracking entertainment this! Now it's NUFC who break and a lovely ball from Perez finds Kenedy, he turns his man inside out and fires at goal. Good stop Hennessey but only as far as Perez, who crunches the shot at goal. Hennessey the hero again! Go'orn Wayne. The Brazilian did magnificently to time his run and then cut back onto his right but Hennessey blocked before diving to palm away Pérez's follow-up. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 2:46PM 30 mins What a chance! Good work from Andros, he slips it to the overlapping Fosu-Mensah, who is moving like a train down that right. Low cross, Zaha meets it crisply but whacks it straight at a defender, Yedlin. Shame. Also a shame for Palace: Referee Marriner gives a goal kick not the obvious corner. 2:44PM 26 mins Another corner, potentially bad news from Crystal Palace. J Shelvey delivers it in, bundled clear just about. 2:40PM GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 up Palace defending woeful once again, and again their problems come about because they have no width of coverage at the back. The low corner comes in, the CPFC defenders drawn magnetically towards it, and there's all the time in the world at the back post for Diame to finish. Credit: Sky Sports He scuffed the ball home, but good enough. Had he not done so, his colleague was right next to him, also unmarked. Hopeless from Hodgson's team. #nufc take the lead, very clever corner routine, deliberately played in low to near post for Perez to hook on to an unmarked Diame at the far post to prod home— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 2:37PM 20 mins Shelvey looks up and spots Kenedy who is again in ACRES down that left. He beats his man, crosses, and it leads to a corner. 2:33PM 17 mins Kenedy and Fosu-Mensah both go for the ball and both get sore ones for their trouble. 16' - Lovely move by the Magpies. Shelvey slips the ball over to Yedlin on the right and Pérez catches his cross on the volley, forcing Hennessey into a save. 0-0. #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 Even steven so far, Benteke's effort the closest we have come to breaking the deadlock. 2:32PM 16 mins Perez now runs into van Arnholt as they try and get the ball, and it's Perez who comes off much the worst. Like he ran into a wall, that! 2:31PM 15 mins Ayo Perez has had an effort but the stalwart Hennessy has gathered it. I was a decent volley, coming from a cross by speed merchant Yedlin down the flank. 2:26PM 9 mins van Aanholt with an excellent run and a measured, accurate through ball that opens Newcastle up like a tin of beans. Benteke is onto it, pace and power, but he cannot apply the finish because Darlow has spread himself well to deny the barrelling Belgian. Two iffy defences on show today. NUFC easily split down the centre, Palace apparently playing with four narrow backs and nobody in the full back areas. 2:23PM 6 mins Palace, playing very narrow, are vulnerable to a deep cross here, headed back across the goal by Kenedy but he cannot get pace on the header to tee up Shelvey. 2:22PM 5 mins Newcastle have a freekick from distance, headed across the goal Lascelles I think, Wayne H the keeper has to come for a brave punch. 2:18PM 3 mins Played up to former Palace striker Dwight Gayle, who is in bad need of a goal, but he is offside. Best tackle of the match so far is, sadly, done by Andros Townsend on Benteke just as Benteke was about to shoot! He looks at Andros as if to say, WTF?! They got in each other's way. Wrapping up Credit: Reuters 2:17PM 2 mins Ball lofted forward to Zaha, but he is caught offside. Palace have a poor record against NUFC at home. But here's fun! A ball played forward for Zaha, he's got in between the centre halves... danger... but he stumbles. 2:16PM 1 mins Newcastle kick off. Good atmosphere. The Mags play it around at the back. Master of (shadow) puppets: Rafa Benitez brings his Newcastle United team to Crystal Palace Credit: AFP 2:15PM Newcastle United all in black. Credit: Sky Sports It has just started to drizzle. 2:15PM Crystal Palace Credit: Sky Sports Premier League with a good old fashioned 442. 2:12PM Tunnel chums Credit: Sky Sports Not what you would call a febrile atmosphere in there by the looks of things. Doesn't exactly look like there's any "I'm going to sort you out" psyching out. I wonder, as the wages get ever more life changing, if players will just accept that it's better for everyone not to try and put each other out of action. I wonder if players ensure themselves against career-ending injuries these days. 1:53PM The players are on the pitch warming up One of the Newcastle players has got a bobble hat on. Softy. I shouldn't think the travelling fans have brought a coat between them. 1:47PM Ah, the rhyme of the Andre Marriner He's on referee duty. Here are the teams for those of us still persisting with the widely discredited "written" "word" approach to conveying information, rather than stupid little pictures, screengrabs and hieroglyphs. Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, Townsend, Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur, Zaha, Benteke. Subs: Ward, Sorloth, Sakho, Lee, Souare, Henry, Riedewald. Newcastle: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Kenedy, Gayle, Perez. Subs: Dubravka, Murphy, Hayden, Manquillo, Lejeune, Merino, Atsu. Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands) 1:26PM At least one element of the Newcastle operation has arrived ok! �� Rafa and the lads are pictured arriving at Selhurst Park. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/GDkaZUMXP3— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:24PM Huge game at the bottom of the table Our North East man reckons it could be a vital day come the end of the season. I’m already in London thankfully but it sounds like some #nufc supporters are struggling with trains down to Crystal Palace this morning. I’ve been known to exaggerate from time to time but winners at Selhurst Park stay up for me this season— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 4, 2018 Hope all the travelling Mags get down in time. One thing getting to King's Cross, quite another getting all the way across the capital and then down to Palace. 1:21PM Newcastle United TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up at @CPFC in the @premierleague today (kick-off 2:15pm GMT). #NUFCpic.twitter.com/iYBto376ko— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 4, 2018 1:20PM Crystal Palace team Here's the #CPFC �� team to take on @NUFC this afternoon!#CRYNEWpic.twitter.com/voLVOKtjMJ— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 4, 2018 1:05PM Good evening Newcastle United make the long trip to Selhurst Park this afternoon under the watchful eye of manager Rafael Benitez, who has paid tribute to the longevity of his opposite number Roy Hodgson by saying that he too would like to carry on coaching well past the age at which he could pick up a bus pass. Rafa said: “Would I like to still be coaching like Roy at 70? I have to say yes. “I like the passion of football and I love my job. I have the energy and desire to win to keep doing this job for years to come. My wife and daughters will regularly say to me ‘hello, haven’t you had enough, stay here?’ "But to be honest I can’t really see a ‘normal’ life for myself.” The next task for both of these admirable men is for them to name the teams who will be contesting the points at Crystal Palace from 2.15pm this afternoon. The match is on television, on Sky Sports Premier League, but my strong preference and respectful suggestion is that you follow the action here with me on our live blog. Later in the afternoon, we will have the exciting Liverpool and Tottenham clash. In the meantime, I will bring you the team news from Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United as soon as I have it.